Chanel takes its Cruise 2025/26 collection to the extraordinary setting of Lake Como's Villa d’Este, an iconic Italian palace hotel that has long been a haven for celebrities and artists. Following the recent departure of Virginie Viard, the CHANEL design team explored a new chapter, drawing inspiration from the timeless allure and cinematic elegance of an Italian getaway. The Creation Studio captured this magical insouciance, bringing to life a carefree elegance and celebration with references to sun-drenched days and starlit evenings by the lake, subtly echoing the world of Luchino Visconti. Isn’t this the Italian dream?
Key elements of this Cruise collection include a vibrant yet contemplative colour palette, mirroring the Villa's ochres, yellows, and oranges alongside the pastel hues of the nearby lake, seen in short, flounced taffeta ball gowns in peach, pink, and blue. Garments range from impeccably tailored tweed suits to fluid disco-inspired pieces like sequined lightweight tweed trouser suits and shimmering sequined evening pyjamas. The collection also features glamorous statement pieces such as a low-cut, backless jumpsuit in pink and orange striped lamé worn under a long cape and ethereal short black taffeta bustier dresses with delicate capes.
Floral motifs, inspired by the Villa's lush gardens, appear as delicate lacework and embroidery on skirt suits and flared dresses. Embracing classic cruise codes, the collection also presents straight-cut white trousers, a strawberry ice cream-coloured pea coat, and blue and white or multi-coloured stripes on jersey trouser suits, knitted cardigans, dresses, and polo shirts. Accessories complete the glamorous getaway look with strings of pearls, minaudières, oversized poolside bags, Hollywood-esque long gloves, black sunglasses, patent leather mules, and silk foulard scarves worn in various stylish ways.
