Fashion

Chanel Fall/Winter 2024 Has us Dreaming of a Seaside Escape

The best shows from Paris Fashion Week FW24: An ELLE preview on Chanel

April 21, 2024

In need of a holiday? Chanel’s Autumn/Winter 2024 runway has you covered. Titled ‘Deauville’, the collection was inspired by the quaint French seaside town of the same name, where Gabrielle Chanel opened her second ever boutique in 1913. The store stocked millinery and later, clothing, all designed with beachside holidaying in mind.

In homage to these origins, the runway was modelled after the Deauville boardwalk. Behind it, giant screens relayed a romantic beachside scene, with skies slowly fading from dawn to dusk. These ever-changing skies also formed the basis of the collection’s colour palette: a mix of vibrant and pastel shades of pink, mauve, orange, and pale blue.

Model walking down the runway at Chanel FW24 — Opening look with Rianne van Rompaey at Chanel FW24. Image courtesy of Chanel

The collection itself was a chic lesson in how to pack for a balmy beachside holiday, from oversized broad-brimmed hats and long dressing-gown-style belted coats worn over tweed suits, to gently billowing silk gowns, and jackets styled with jeans. The perfect uniform for a blustery beachside walk, if you ask us.

Each piece emanated a fondness for the story of Deauville which, as Virginie Viard recalled, is one very close to her heart. Chunky sailor sweaters, for example, featured the landscapes of the beach commune, while delicate negligees were designed to evoke gentle waves and salty breezes.

Feminine details were balanced by a hint of androgyny, a classic code of Chanel. In this collection, the balance found expression most notably via clashing prints, unexpected colour combinations, and several broad shouldered silhouettes.