Across the Ariabian Sea, Head Designer and Creative Director of Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, showcased his latest resort-style collection in Chanel Cruise 2014-115 Collection and used The Island, a new private isle off the coast of Dubai, as his backdrop.
Chanel is just one of the many fashion houses recently partaking in the trend of overseas collection debuts with Burberry and Michael Kors recently shutting down Shanghai, China for their shows.
Lagerfeld showcased a mix of inter-seasonal, commercial clothing that originated as garb for the super-rich cruising around the Caribbean between the winter and summer fashion seasons. Lagerfeld treated guest, including Tilda Swinton, Freida Pinto, Dakota Fanning, and his former muse, Janelle Monae, to a night of fine cuisine, great company and fabulous Middle Eastern inspired pieces.
The clothing itself reflected Dubai’s unique fusion of old and new, meshing together Islamic-inspired embroideries, prints and intricate knits with distinctly twenty-first century follies like light-up high-heeled shoes inspired by the country’s architecture and night life.
Stomping the runway were tall, statuesque models, including Joan Smalls, draped in arabian-like head pieces and modest two-piece frocks, complemented with heels and creative bags (gasoline can bag). Lagerfeld also found a spot for his young nephew to walk, modeling in all white, toting a gorgeous head of hair, chunky accessories and
Lagerfeld took a creative turn with this collection, opting for less western inspired looks and focusing on the exotics of the east stating,”You don’t have to be from here. These clothes are for women all over the world.”
Lagerfeld joined the iconic fashion house in 1983 and has since reinvented the brand in each collection with trends, textures and even stylishly recycling the staple tweed suit jacket. Chanel Cruise is set to sail in October of 2014 but a select few got a memorable peek into his over-the-top themed show with a unforgettable trip to accompany them.
