If we told you that you’d walk down the aisle in a silver, glittering swimsuit, complete with a trailing veil and metallic mules, would you think we were crazy? What if Karl Lagerfeld told you he’d design you a custom bridal swimsuit, then would you do it?
That’s exactly what went down at the Chanel spring 2019 haute couture show overnight, with the imitable designer (who skipped the show due to his health) sending the customary Chanel bride down the runway in exactly that: a glittering bridal swimming costume.
Italian model Vittoria Ceretti was tapped for the honour, which happens at the end of every haute couture runway from the brand, wearing the wave-making (literally) swimsuit as the final look. Complete with a jewel encrusted bathing cap, Ceretti looked all the part a chic Chanel beachgoer — and proved that yes, a Chanel swimsuit can replace a traditional wedding dress, something we never thought we’d say.
The set, which was as jaw dropping as usual, saw a lush Italian villa surrounded by greenery and was complete with a pool, which was inspired —like the collection — by the 18th century, something we saw through the traditional beauty look, the feminine shapes and the statuesque-like models.
Models wore versions of Chanel’s signature suits, pouf dresses with plenty of feathers — Lagerfeld’s new signature — and embellishment was at the key of the collection, with painstaking detail applied to just about every design. Australia’s own Adut Akech walked the show, following her turn as the famous bride last July, making her the second only black model to do so.
Decked out in dainty make-up, the models wore a heavy lid and bright lips, which were completed by big, big period hair. Certainly a dramatic beauty look, the severeness of the bold hair was offset with pretty fresh flowers, which were pinned to the side of the ultra-high, stacked-up locks.
The front row was as stylish as usual, with a slew of chic Chanel ambassadors turning up to the event, which was held at the traditional Grand Palais. Kristen Stewart, Marion Cotillard, Tilda Swinton and Pharrell Williams made up the star-studded front row, all of whom wore Chanel for the occasion.
Despite Lagerfeld’s notable missing presence, the show was, once again, a production worth dissecting. And yes, we all want a bridal swimsuit, ASAP.
