When Chanel creative director Matthieu Blazy's debut SS26 collection hit stores in March, shoppers caught what critics are calling 'Matthieu-mania'. Despite challenging times for the luxury market, snaking queues formed around Chanel's flagship boutiques from Paris to New York. Once inside, shoppers had to wait a further 60 minutes to be paired with a sales associate.
Accessories in High Demand
Accessories were in particularly high demand and there were almost fisticuffs over the square-toed mules, retailing for £1,080 and already being upsold on eBay for north of £2,000. WhatsApp groups of the faithful were flooded with tips on how to get a £6,610 Maxi Flapbag. And fans who couldn't afford the prices instead watched unboxing videos on Instagram.
Price Rises and Exclusivity
Shoppers clearly haven't been put off by the two-to-four per cent price rise Chanel implemented across its classic bags last month to cover rising costs and maintain exclusivity. But if you want this new runway look, as worn by Meryl Streep to promote The Devil Wears Prada 2, you'll have to join the Blazy waitlist, darling. And if you don't have a spare £20k knocking around? Hang on for the inevitable high-street versions.
Jacket, £6,250, skirt, £4,930, jumper, £2,245, earrings, £970, bag, £4,840, and shoes, £980, all from the Chanel Métiers d'Art 2026 collection, available at Chanel boutiques from June.
Fashion director: Sophie Dearden-Howell. Hair and make-up: Danielle Van Cuyck using Lisa Eldridge and Maria Nila. Model: Samruddhi at Kult Models. Courtesy of Chanel.
