Chanel Haute Couture S/S 2013

The theatricality at Chanel never ceases to amaze me. Lets think back; Swedish icebergs at F/W 2010, underwater magic complete with Florence Welch singing in a giant clam that was S/S 2012 and who can forget the runway filled with gigantic wind turbines at S/S 2013. The list can go on forever so with Chanel's past history of drama filled shows, I would expect nothing less.

As a student who studies Shakespeare, it's hard to overlook the reference to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. The feathered models with those smudged smokey eyes to me is the perfect portrayal of Titania's fellow fairies. The styling was by no means obsessive compulsive. But it evoked this languid atmosphere as if all were woken from a deep slumber by the arrival of an audience into the Grand Palais.

Such a vision was paralleled by the garments drifting down the runway in the form of tweed capes, thigh high lace boots and floral applique gowns. I particular loved the emphasis on off-the-shoulder necklines, sometimes directly obvious but other times an illusion created by careful layering. Of course, Karl Lagerfeld must always imply a deeper message in his shows, sending down a lesbian bride as the final look. Way to create a lasting impression!

Picture Source: http://www.vogue.co.uk/