Fashion history was made this week as the elegance and glamour of Parisian haute couture came to London during Chanel's first ever catwalk show. Karl Lagerfeld paid homage to British culture with a collection featuring elements of Sixties style, tartan and sparkly Union flag evening bags.
Sitting on gold chairs - the backs of which mimicked clothes hangers - luminaries, including Monegasque royal Charlotte Casiraghi, Harry Potter actresses Emma Thompson and Emma Watson, and Smile singer Lily Allen, watched as the collection kicked off with an appearance by Canadian catwalk star Irina Lazareanu.
After stepping into the limelight in a black evening gown and biker boots, Pete Doherty's former girlfriend took to the microphone to provide the show's musical accompaniment, along with Sean Lennon on piano.
Models strode the runway in knee-length skirts or blouson culottes, tweed jackets, thick black tights, simple pea coats teamed with shiny loafers. Also prominent were sharp leather coats, accessorised with fingerless gloves inspired by the punk movement.
Other highlights of the special show - part of a series held annually by Lagerfeld in a different city to showcase the skills of the Parisian ateliers with whom he works – included classic boucle wool coats with gem-like detailing, and a striking purple, mod-style hooded jacket.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
