For the Chanel Spring 2021 Haute Couture show, Virginie Viard envisioned a small cortege that would come down the stairs of the Grand Palais and pass beneath arches of flowers. This would be the setting for the latest collection, embodying a family celebration, a wedding.

“I love big family reunions, when the generations all come together. It’s so warm. There’s this spirit at Chanel today. Because Chanel is also like a family,” said Viard. This is a spirit to be celebrated more than ever with the reopening, at the same time, of the Haute Couture Salons at 31 rue Cambon.

This idea of dance, of freedom and of summer evening parties is embodied by petticoats in motion, by the tiers of flounced crêpe georgette on a pale pink dress, accompanied by an entirely ruffled bolero, and two-tone Mary-Jane shoes with a double strap in the style of the shoes worn by tango dancers, or booties with wedge heels decorated with a fine golden quilt-like grid. The Maisons d’art, partners to the House of Chanel, were involved in the collection’s thirty-two looks. The Montex Atelier made the embroidered macramé of a long dress in pearl grey tulle while delicate feathers by the House of Lemarié embellish the organza flounces of a little dress in black tweed. Movement is equally illustrated through the trouser suits whose jacket is inspired by men’s waistcoats.

“I’m always thinking about what women would like to have in their wardrobe today,” concludes Virginie Viard.

Be a part of the roundtable conversation hosted by Caroline de Maigret with ambassadors and friends of the House Penélope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Charlotte Casiraghi, Vanessa Paradis, Alma Jodorowsky, Lily-Rose Depp, Izïa Higelin, Blesnya Minher and Joana Preiss.