Chanel F/W 26 - Reimagined

When Finley and I looked at Chanel's Fall/Winter 2026 presentation, we felt that the clothing didn't fully align with the atmosphere in which it was presented. However, perhaps that contrast was intentional. Chanel described the collection as exploring metamorphosis and duality, inspired by Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's philosophy: "There is nothing more comfortable than a caterpillar and nothing more made for love than a butterfly. We need dresses that crawl and dresses that fly."

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While we felt the garments beautifully reflected this philosophy, the industrial setting of tower cranes and a cityscape did not. On the other hand, Matthieu Blazy may have intentionally paired soft, fluid silhouettes with a  urban backdrop to emphasize the idea of duality. The contrast between solid steel cranes and flowing garments could symbolize the transformation from a grounded caterpillar to a graceful butterfly.

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Even so, Finley and I wanted to reimagine the collection in a setting that complemented the clothing while still communicating Chanel's theme. We envisioned the runway within a dark, enchanted forest, creating a dreamlike atmosphere reminiscent of Snow White. The contrast between the mysterious forest and the delicate, fluid garments felt like a more natural expression of metamorphosis and duality.

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We chose the Grand Palais in Paris—an iconic venue for Chanel runway shows—as the setting for our concept. To visualize the space, we used Google Gemini to generate a realistic rendering of the runway; however, the creative direction, layout, and placement of every design element were developed by us beforehand.

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Chanel has a long history of producing immersive runway experiences—Spring/Summer 26 Haute Couture being a great example—so sourcing and constructing a forest of artificial trees felt entirely achievable. Building on the collection's inspiration, we imagined hanging caterpillar cocoons from the branches and placing butterflies throughout the plants as subtle visual references to transformation and duality.

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We also wanted the after-party and boutique spaces to carry the same visual image as the runway. Extending the concept beyond the show creates a cohesive experience, strengthening Chanel's brand identity and allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the world of the Fall/Winter 2026 collection. Through sight, sound, scent, touch, and taste, attendees wouldn't simply watch the collection—they would experience it.