Chanel’s 2017-2018 Cruise Collection inspired by Classical Greece

Karl Lagerfeld looked to the origin of culture for the latest Chanel Cruise collection, 2017/18, which was presented in the Galerie Courbe upstairs in the Grand Palais. Greek Antiquity, the cradle of culture, beauty and modernity, is at the heart of the designer's inspiration: "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."

Supple draping and elegant, fluid lines shape a silhouette in tweed and jersey, silk and linen, lace and crèpe. 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.

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. Greek sleeves with draped or gathered shoulders structure lines and find a counterpoint in marked or belted waists. Sun pleats are inspired by fluted columns, while knitwear motifs echo those found on antique vases or the friezes of ancient frescoes.

With this collection, Karl Lagerfeld composes a true travelogue through time and space.