Red and white colour blocks reminiscent of the Monégasque flag, kaleidoscopic slot machines, chequered F1 starter flags and gilded dolphins—the motifs of Monte Carlo found throughout Chanel’s 2023 Cruise Collection sew a connective thread between the maison, Monaco, creative director Virginie Viard and former creative director Karl Lagerfeld. The two designers often travelled to the principality to attend the annual Bal de la Rose with Princess Caroline of Monaco, and for campaign shoots at Lagerfeld’s Belle Époque home, Villa La Vigie.
Sharing Monte Carlo’s cultural diversity and liberating sense of escapism, Miami was the city of choice for Chanel’s second show of the year, in early November. The extravaganza took place on the beach of Faena Hotel; with two rows of red and white cabanas interspersed with two-tone striped parasols, models dressed in emblematic tweed and billowing silk chiffon garments made their way down a sandy boardwalk.
The Cruise 2022/23 show in Miami (Photo: Courtesy of Chanel)
Faena Beach. Hotel in Miami (Photo: Courtesy of Chanel)
Gathering ambassadors such as Lily-Rose Depp, Marion Cotillard and Caroline de Maigret, and acting talents including Ella Balinska, Arden Cho and Andrés Velencoso, the spectacular showcase was followed by a relaxed beach soirée, during which Nile Rodgers and Chic performed their famed funky favourites on the sand. Pharrell Williams ended the night singing Get Lucky, sporting a statement-making combination of bucket hat, Hawaiian shirt and shorts punctuated by matching navy and white floral patterns.
Besides the Cruise collection itself, the bond between Chanel and Monte Carlo was reinforced by the short film Remembering Monaco, created by Sofia and Roman Coppola. It not only captured the collection’s joyful, carefree spirit, but also presented a romantic vision of a vacation and the ensembles one might wear on it.
Chanel's Cruise 2022/23 Collection (Photo: Courtesy of Chanel)
Chanel's Cruise 2022/23 Collection (Photo: Courtesy of Chanel)
Chanel's Cruise 2022/23 Collection (Photo: Courtesy of Chanel)
Chanel's Cruise 2022/23 Collection (Photo: Courtesy of Chanel)
Chanel's Cruise 2022/23 Collection (Photo: Courtesy of Chanel)
Chanel's Cruise 2022/23 Collection (Photo: Courtesy of Chanel)
Incorporating glimpses from the runway and some behind-the-scenes moments, the film documents a group of young women enjoying a holiday on the sun-drenched Riviera, and stars actor and brand ambassador Lyna Khoudri, as well as models Vivienne Rohner, HyunJi Shin, Blésnya Minher and Mariam de Vinzelle. It features a clip of an old car racing and the group of five celebs cruising around the Mediterranean, swimming, practising tennis swings and indulging at La Vigie, reliving Sophia’s voyage to Monaco and unforgettable stays at Lagerfeld’s majestic villa in her 20s.