Despite the unseasonable weather in Marseille, Chanel’s Resort 2024 collection by Virginie Viard showcased an array of summer-inspired designs. The collection was inspired by Marseille’s vibrant lifestyle, architecture, and connection to the sea.
Embroideries of fish, fishing nets, and shells adorned dresses and jackets, while sequined jackets and tweeds reflected the colors and geometric shapes of Le Corbusier’s iconic La Cité Radieuse building. The show featured everyday pieces such as hoodies and Bermuda shorts, alongside more formal options like faille blouses and waistcoats. Guests were treated to up-close views of the collection as models walked through the hallways of La Cité Radieuse.
“The sun, architecture, music, and dance: Marseille also has a very strong sense of freedom. I was inspired by the codes of lifestyle, of everyday life, and by all the things that invite movement. The sea and the wind made me want to play with wetsuits,” explains Virginie Viard. She also introduced looks with hoodies, which the show notes indicated would become part of the House’s repertoire.
Underwater life was furthered with embroideries that included fish, fishing nets, shells, and shellfish decorating dresses, suit jackets, waistcoats, faille blouses, T-shirts, and little vest tops. The Le Corbusier building also proved to be an inspiration for some designs. Tweeds and sequined jackets reflected the colors, grid motifs, and geometric shapes of the building. Broderie anglaise, waffle fabric skirts, Bermuda shorts, and terry towel flip-flops all answered the summer mood, even if the weather didn’t.
“Marseille is a city that puts me in touch with my emotions,” added Viard. “I tried to capture its power of attraction, its breath of fresh air, and to convey the energy that reigns there. And you couldn’t ask for a better backdrop to a runway show than the Cité radieuse.”
That energy continued well into the night with performances by Johan Papaconstantino and SCH.
