Matthieu Blazy's Chanel show celebrates and plays with brand's history

"Chanel is function, Chanel is fiction, Blazy said. Like Coco, who scandalised Paris by declaring black, the colour of the serving classes, to be the last word in elegance, he presents Chanel as rarefied and real. Take the Chanel jacket, which on this catwalk came in the oversized shirt silhouette of the classic French chore jacket, collar flipped and cuffs turned back, or as a blouson to be worn with trousers."

"Matthieu Blazy's take on the classic Chanel blazer demonstrates his philosophy of balancing function with fiction. The invitation for the show was a tiny stainless steel tape measure on a pendant, signaling his meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship. After the show, he greeted reporters clutching a folded print out of an interview Coco Chanel gave to Le Figaro in 1955, showcasing his deep engagement with house history and heritage."

"Blazy, who arrived at Chanel last year, is rebuilding the designer, and having fun with it. His kid-in-a-candy-store enthusiasm is infectious, and the city's Chanel boutiques have been packed all week. A simple cotton shirt embroidered with the Chanel name is sold out, at a price of 3,900 euros. New season bags are limited to one per customer—a policy designed to limit resale at even higher prices."

Matthieu Blazy's debut Chanel show at Paris Fashion Week featured a construction-site aesthetic with colorful cranes and an opalescent floor inspired by Monet. Blazy, who arrived at Chanel last year, is actively rebuilding the house while immersing himself in its history, including discovering a previously unknown 1955 Coco Chanel interview. His approach combines playful visual metaphors with functional design, presenting Chanel as both rarefied and real. The collection reinterprets the iconic Chanel jacket in oversized silhouettes and blouson forms. His enthusiasm has driven significant commercial success, with simple embroidered cotton shirts selling out at 3,900 euros and new bags limited to one per customer to prevent resale speculation.

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