RIVIERA CHIC

Written By: Lauren Cunningham

Yes, you can have a love affair with a location, and Chanel and Monaco are the most perfect example.

Virginie Viard chose the Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel as the lucky location for the Chanel Cruise 2022/23 show. But, the House’s history with Monaco goes far beyond this one Cruise collection and is steeped in stories every step of the way.

Way back in 1910 Gabrielle Chanel discovered this romantic stretch of the French Riviera as casinos and grand hotels transformed Monaco into a meeting place for international Café Society. So, of course, it wasn’t long before a Chanel boutique popped up in 1913 at the Hôtel de l’Hermitage.

Fast forward to the 1920s, and Gabrielle Chanel is no stranger to the shores, regularly staying in the Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo, just one location where her precious perfumes are now sold. But, perhaps the best part of her travels to the magical Monaco region was her meeting with the Duke of Westminster, which sparked a love affair that lasted between 1924 and 1930. Although what lasted much longer than her love for the Duke was her love for tweed, a fabric that he introduced her to on a visit to Scotland. Some may say this trip sparked Chanel’s success, and we certainly aren’t against the idea.

Decades later, Karl Lagerfeld moved to Monaco in the early 1980s, stamping his own experience on the state. And, to truly tie the House and region together, Virginie Viard has chosen Monaco royalty Princess Caroline’s daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi, as the ambassador of the House. So, it’s safe to say there is no better location for a show when classic cuts and warm weather wares are on the cards.

Bringing together a whole host of influences from the House and the region, the Chanel Cruise collection has a sporty yet sophisticated ambience, drawing on the wonderful worlds Monaco is most known for: motor racing, tennis, the Monte Carlo Ballet, the casino, and the Riviera.

Racing driver jumpsuits reimagined in trusty tweed, fine terrycloth, sequins, and silk printed with interlocking Cs, jumped off of the sand-filled runway to open the show. While logo- emblazoned hats and miniature helmet bags became the focus of the fits, adding the tongue-in-cheek touch the Maison is modestly known for.

Continuing the contrast of the extraordinary with the everyday, sports-style jackets were in no short supply, and metallic leather motifs proliferated in many pieces. Fingerless racing gloves made a return, and sequins added an elevated approach to the slouchy, comfortable cuts of tops and trousers.

Despite being classically Cruise, nods to knitwear peeked through many looks, while tights were layered underneath shorts and, of course, blazers became one of the statement pieces among the collection, crafted from leather and tweed in black, white, red, and gold hues. But, tight tailoring seems to have fallen in favor of a high-low mixing of couture with casual, and T-shirts remained the foundation pieces of many outfits.

A-line skirts in a lightweight tweed or in sequins trimmed with two-tone checks touched on the tennis style topped off with trainers for a seriously sporty finish. And a tiny tennis racquet bag may be one of the most adorable accessories we’ve seen come down a Cruise collection catwalk.

Floral embroidered dresses, wide-brimmed straw boaters, and floaty fabrics brought us back to the true areas of elegance Monaco is most known for, concluding the collection that truly has the perfect piece for any occasion no matter where you are in Monaco.