Invitation by CHANEL 'Paris-Byzance'

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Chanel Paris-Byzance

Chanel invitation in Blue Majorelle of Marrakech - inspirations of the Byzantium!

"A snowy and rainy evening in Paris on December 7th 2010. After passing through the black wrought iron gate og the 31 rue Cambon, we climb the stairs to the Couture salon and go on through to a magic place that takes us back in time, 15 centuries into the past, to the banks of Bosporus, at the heart of the Byzantine Empire. We are transported to a time when Constantinopel was not yet called Istanbul, but the Subliem Porte between East and West! ...

... The walls are covered with bronze sequins, oriental lanterns cast a soft sensual glow and in this harem-like atmosphere one is tempted to lie down on the deep plush sofas, decorated with hand-painted cushions. Turkish Delight... Paris seems so far away ...

The accessories are extravagant in their refinement, - handbags embroidered by Lesage, drawstring purses like small Chinese teapots, decorated with gem stones, the opulence of the bodices is subtly offset by strict cut of the dresses they embellish.

... the models moved with an almost opium induced nonchalance ... noble fabrics, voile, lace, embroideries, offering a glimpse of the Empress of Constantinopel, Theodora, as Karl Lagerfeld experienced and adored her ..."

CHANEL Paris-Byzance défilé Rue Cambon

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel 

Photo show fittings: Benoit Peverelli

Editorial extraits: Elisabeth Quin for CHANEL

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CHANEL Paris-Byzance, Rue Cambon

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! Love it  - Chanel Paris-Byzance

Pre-Fall 2011/12 défilé dans les salons haute couture de la Rue Cambon, Paris.

"After the Grand Palais, I had to do the opposite," Karl Lagerfeld said. Instead, Lagerfeld had transformed the second-floor couture salon at the brand's iconic Rue Cambon store into a sort of Ottmanesque chill-out room, with low stained glass tables and two rows of patterned square pillows. 

The look at the salons walls, entirely embroidered or the occasion in tiny bronze sequins. The season's theme, Paris-Byzance was inspired by the Empress Theodora and the lost culture of Byzantium. ... Mostly, however, the reference came via Coco's Byzantine-inspired Gripoix jewelry, which is instantly recognizable today.

Iconic figures presenting bohemia at its hautest in the amazing multicolored knits made decadent with gold thread, embroidered fringe, and chunky gold chains knitted right in ... beautiful suiting meticulously decked out in more gold chains, braiding, leweled buttons, feathers, and fringe. And for evening: either heavy jewel-tone satin with even heavier swaths of mosaic embroidery, little black dresses crafted from little silk and feather flowers using a level of craftmanship that's almost gone the way of Byzantium.

CHANEL Pre-Fall 2011/12 défilé dans les salons haute couture de la Rue Cambon

Photo: Courtesy of CHANEL
Source: style.com 

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