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Lacroix and Chanel bring a flurry of feathers to Paris

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4 JULY 2007

Haute couture is a byword for extravagance, and at the Christian Lacroix and Chanel catwalks this week audiences were in for an opulent treat. Both Lacroix and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel produced lavish collections luxuriously embellished with feathers, bows, jewels and brocade.

Lacroix, who was celebrating the couture house's 20th anniversary, presented a collection which emphasised shape and volume through oversized, heavily embroidered frock coats, which contrasted with charming mono-hued dresses. Colours were dazzling, with highlights including a tiered cobalt satin gown with jet beading on the bodice and a hood of matching ostrich feathers. Elsewhere there was a folkloric element, with a green velvet matador jacket and golden dress combination referencing the Provence bullrings of his youth.

British model Lily Cole was given the honour of closing the show in an opulent wedding gown featuring a patchwork of rich brocade and accessorised with an antique crown of metal flowers.

Also showcasing a fabulous bridal gown was Karl Lagerfeld who added a train made of white feathers to his creation for Chanel. Due to torrential rain the outdoor presentation took place several hours late, but nothing could rain on the fashion maestro's parade as celebrity guests enthused over his couture spectacular.

The collection was all about exquisite details, from wispy feathers at the shoulder and bows at the waist to the jewels adorning classic Chanel suits. After sending a host of black dresses featuring balaclava-style hoods down the runway, Karl lightened things up with elegant, sequin- and crystal-strewn evening gowns in dusky pink, duck-egg blue and lavender.