On April 29, 2025, Chanel transformed the mythical Villa d'Este, a Renaissance jewel nestled on the shores of Lake Como, into a fashion theater where Hollywood glamour met Italian dolce vita. The Croisière 2025/26 show, orchestrated by the house's design studio ahead of Matthieu Blazy's debut in October, offered an enchanted interlude between cinematic nostalgia and contemporary elegance.
In the fading sunshine, the 69 silhouettes strolled the terraces of Villa d'Este, evoking 1950s film heroines. The nod to Romy Schneider in Boccace 70, a film for which Chanel had designed the costumes, was obvious: bare-back taffeta dresses, lamé capes, crumpled pink blouses and silver lingerie recalled the sensual, sophisticated aesthetic of the period.
The models, adorned with pearl necklaces, oversized dark glasses and long gloves, embodied an assumed femininity, oscillating between insouciance and refinement. Striped evening pyjamas, sky-blue and peach-pink ruffled dresses, lace vests and straight-cut tweed suits made up a luxurious summer wardrobe, punctuated by accessories such as raffia minaudières adorned with the double C, floral chiffon hats and silk scarves.
The choice of Lake Como is not insignificant. This place, steeped in history and culture, has seen some of the most emblematic figures in cinema and fashion pass through its doors. Gabrielle Chanel herself is said to have visited her friend the director Luchino Visconti, whose family owned the nearby Villa Erba. This historical connection strengthens the bond between the house and Italy, a country that has long inspired its creations.
Alongside the show, Chanel highlighted its commitment to Italian craftsmanship by opening the doors of its partner factories, such as Roveda, a shoe manufacturer in Parabiago, and Mantero, a silk specialist in Como. This approach underlines the company's commitment to preserving and promoting local know-how, while integrating sustainable innovations into its production processes.
Among the distinguished guests, Keira Knightley, Lupita Nyong'o, Margaret Qualley and Sofia Coppola, director of the show's teaser, added a touch of glamour to the event. Their presence testifies to Chanel's timeless appeal and its ability to unite a community of artists and fashion enthusiasts around its creations.
In short, this Croisière 2025/26 show embodies a celebration of Italian elegance, blending cinematic heritage, exceptional craftsmanship and modernity. Chanel offers here a vision of fashion as an art of living, where each silhouette tells a story, between glorious past and promising future.
