Greek Antiquity, the cradle of culture, beauty and modernity, is at the heart of the Karl Lagerfeld’s inspiration for the Chanel Resort 2018 collection, which was presented in the Galerie Courbe upstairs in the Grand Palais.

“The criteria of beauty in ancient, then classical, Greece still hold true. There have never been more beautiful representations of women. Or more beautiful columns. The entire Renaissance, in fact, was based on Antiquity. It is really about the youth of the world in all its power and unpredictability — just like the unforgiving gods,” said the designer.

Supple draping and elegant, fluid lines shape a silhouette in tweed and jersey, silk and linen, lace and crepe. Raw fringe mingles with precious embroidery, column-heeled gladiators elevate the traditional Greek sandal, and Olympic laurels become head ornaments while sautoirs, bracelets and golden cuffs adorn the neck and arms. Amphorae transform into small or large pleated leather backpacks. Minaudières and clutches are crafted in meticulously draped leather or bronzed exotic skins. Chanel’s GABRIELLE bag mixes leather with knitted owl or antique vase motifs, or appears in marbled leather.

In rewriting the codes of Antiquity, Karl Lagerfeld offers an idealized vision of Greece: “Reality is of no interest to me. I use what I like. My Greece is an idea,” he says.

Antiquity meets modern mythology with draped jersey tops, long skirts, and wide, fluid sun-pleated trousers and jumpsuits in black, white and beige or terracotta and gold. Fringed, unlined pale or tweed is created into ample crossover coats and zipped shepherdess dresses belted with a gold-ringed cord. Silhouettes emerge in jersey or mousseline dresses worn under long tunics printed with crowns of golden leaves.

With this collection, Karl Lagerfeld composes a true travelogue through time and space. Dazzling white and vivid Cycladic blue cascade over suit dresses and A-line jackets in woven tweed, illuminating an iconic suit with curvaceous, amphora-like hips.

Watch backstage as longtime admirer of Antiquity, Karl Lagerfeld transcends its codes, demonstrating the timelessness, spirit and allure of Chanel for the Resort 2018 collection.