FASHION

Chanel in Cuba Havana Cruise 2017 collection backstage Crash Magazine Armelle Leturcq Lindsey Wixson

BACKSTAGE AT CHANEL CRUISE 2017 COLLECTION IN CUBA

By Crash redaction

CHANEL IN CUBA: A GROUNDBREAKING CRUISE 2016-17 SHOW

Chanel in Cuba, this sounds like an historical revolution. This Tuesday, March 3rd, 2016, will surely be remembered as one of the most exciting Chanel Cruise shows there has even been (and that’s saying something, since Karl Lagerfeld never ceases to surpass himself). Located in the newly opened streets of Havana, on Paseo del Prado, the iconic avenue of the colorful city, the show came to enlighten the relationship between Cuba and France. Is it by chance that the avenue is punctuated with eight spectacular lions bronze statutes, Mademoiselle Chanel spirit animal? There are no coincidences with Karl Lagerfeld, and that’s why he always delivers such powerful shows. The show took place in the evening with the colors of the sunset playing with the polychromatic façades in the streets of Havana. The collection felt incredibly easy with its styling choices: Panama hats and flat loafers were the star of the show, as well as beret hats that allowed Che Guevara to meet French style. Still, it was all about Chanel intricate know-how and attention to detail, which paid hommage to the Cuban heritage. One example is the guayabera, a traditional Cuban blouse with pockets and shoulder padding. Lagerfeld reinterprets it by giving it a smocking flair, adding some irreverence in the design. The collection feature an explosion of colors and some automobile prints as a hint to the bright Cadillacs that brought guests to the show venue. Groundbreaking and historical, this is a collection that goes beyond fashion.

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