Discovering fresh perspectives, and igniting your passion for fashion.

Chanel Couture Fall 2024 – Whispers of a Storied Past

Heidi Truong
- Fashion Blogger -
xplore Chanel Couture Fall 2024, a breathtaking collection that beautifully blends heritage and modernity. Discover the intricate designs and artistic flair that define this remarkable fashion show.
Chanel Couture Fall 2024 emerges as a breathtaking masterpiece, the first collection crafted by the brand’s design team in the absence of a guiding "captain." It encapsulates decades of creative heritage that has ebbed and flowed through the annals of fashion history.

"For the first time in five years, I truly felt enveloped by the essence of Chanel," shared an editor from Runway Magazine, echoing the sentiments of many attendees. Each piece on the runway stood as a testament to impeccable craftsmanship and timeless beauty—core values of the French maison. The elaborate Lesage embroideries, intricate feathered pieces that fluttered with each step, and the unparalleled attention to delicate details all splendidly revived, whispering tales of Chanel’s legendary past.
Chanel Couture Fall 2024 marks a new chapter in the creative dynasty of Chanel, a future brimming with promise, crafted by a collective rather than led by a singular visionary. Held shortly after Virginie Viard—Karl Lagerfeld’s esteemed protégé and the artistic director of Chanel—stepped down, the collection drew global anticipation, curiosity swirling around the brand’s next moves.

Staged in the grandeur of the Palais Garnier—a beloved venue of the French fashion house symbolizing creative freedom—each design floated across the runway, mimicking a grand resurrection of heritage symbols from Chanel’s vast archives. More than mere garments, these couture masterpieces mirrored the principles of beauty, patience, and excellence shared with the National Opera of Paris.
Upon arrival, guests were led through the 19th-century architecture of Palais Garnier, down gold-gilded corridors, to discover and settle into private viewing boxes lined with red velvet, specially designed by French director Christophe Honoré. Entering Palais Garnier, Chanel Couture Fall 2024 evoked a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era, as if stepping into the scene depicted in Mary Cassatt’s famous 1874 painting "In the Loge." Guests of Chanel Couture Fall 2024 transformed into the woman in the painting, immersing themselves in the rhythms of "Sympathy" by Rare Bird, and feasting their eyes on the French fashion house’s visually and auditorily stunning operatic fashion masterpieces.

The opulence and theatricality of the historic opera house were intricately woven into the collection’s design elements—billowing sleeves, feathered collars, and floor-sweeping gowns, enhancing the drama in sync with the spectacular setting.
Model Vittoria Ceretti opened the show in a sweeping black taffeta opera coat with a dramatically pleated neckline that hugged the face. The show closed with supermodel Angelina Kendall embodying the bride in a flowing white taffeta gown, its sleeves puffed and skirt adorned with the house’s signature camellia embroidery, reminiscent of the wedding dress of the late Princess Diana.
Chanel Couture Fall 2024 unfolds as a tapestry richly embroidered with the familiar DNA of Chanel's design ethos, intertwined with a romantic beauty that whispers of its profound heritage. "Embroidered lavishly, the collection marries the familiar design DNA of Chanel with a romantic beauty that had been buried deep within its archives," the brand notes revealed.

Featured within the collection is a reimagined Chanel boxy jacket in red tweed adorned with white satin, a formal ensemble of black velvet paired with an embroidered bib shirt, and black vests paired with long culottes or jersey pants inspired by Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel’s attire in "Le Train Bleu" from 1924. A cropped jacket with black feathered shoulders dances among long coats, sweeping capes, and evening gowns, reminiscent of Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel Couture Spring 1999 collection. All these elements combined create a beauty of traditional stagecraft modernized by the rhythm of contemporary fashion.
At the collection's heart is a homage to the brand’s heritage. The classic Chanel tweed suit is rejuvenated with salt-and-pepper fabric and tassel detailing at the cuffs and hem, while other versions glow in radiant jewel tones, embellished with colorful cabochon stones. Nods to the wardrobes of opera divas appear towards the show's end, merging with ballet performance attire. For instance, tiered tulle dresses cut in varying lengths shine with meticulously embroidered crystal cabochons; these are draped with black swan feather capes. 

 The collection also features a black coat adorned with 3D gold ribbons and ivory or black taffeta capes slit high to reveal bare legs or occasionally worn with stockings. In contrast, there are pieces like a white shirt with pleated trim at the collar and cuffs, and a white peplum top with front buttons paired with gathered trousers, recalling the silent film character Pierrot.

This season's color palette darkens, dominated by shades of black but illuminated by an array of gold, silver, and gemstone accessories. The meticulous beadwork characteristic of the French fashion house is ever-present. Bows become a repeating motif, enchanting when placed on copper-colored lace dresses, black coats, and even low ponytails styled backwards. On a subtler level, feathers recur, adorning an overcoat that cascades to the knees over a long lamé pink dress.
Chanel Couture Fall 2024 may not be the most experimental collection seen on the French runway, but it stirs curiosity about what could possibly follow. As the show concludes and the designs once again salute the audience, the viewers are undoubtedly overwhelmed by the grandeur and finesse, as if each piece is steeped in the soul of Chanel—a magnificent blend of tradition and innovation. The intricate details from the fine embroidery, luxurious fabrics, to the meticulous craftsmanship could evoke a surge of emotion.

Each piece is a labor of love, a dedication of artisans pouring their hearts into each creation, and an unparalleled artistic flair from the realm of haute couture at Chanel. This collection is not just an ordinary fashion show but a journey through the heart of Chanel, a grand return befitting its leading status in the world of high fashion.
Gen Z’s Joyful Rebellion: How Chaotic Customization Shapes Modern Fashion

Gen Z’s Joyful Rebellion: How Chaotic Customization Shapes Modern Fashion

Explore how Gen Z is revolutionizing fashion with chaotic customization. Learn how...
Read more
Fur, Function, and Fantasy:  Jacquemus's Winter Retreat Featuring Alex Consani

Fur, Function, and Fantasy: Jacquemus's Winter Retreat Featuring Alex Consani

The air is crisp, the days are short, and the holidays are...
Read more
Jennie Steals the Show at Chanel SS25: A Blonde Bombshell in Paris

Jennie Steals the Show at Chanel SS25: A Blonde Bombshell in Paris

Jennie Kim stunned at Chanel SS25 with a bold new blonde transformation....
Read more