Chanel Spring Summer 2021: Fashion We Can Believe In (Finally!)

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED! And her name is Chanel. This morning, the world was blessed with the beautiful arrival of a healthy baby girl, the Spring Summer 2021 Fashion Show, live from Paris Fashion Week. To say it was great, is to do it a disservice.
IT WAS EPIC! IT WAS EVERYTHING! It was… refreshing. As expected, I went into the experience of viewing the collection ready to see pieces that were stuffy, a bit stiff, with possibly a sprinkling of outfits that could actually be worn in the real world. A fantasy, if you will. What I got, pure joy.
Chanel Creative Director Virginie Ward nailed it this season by finally stepping out of the shadows of her predecessor, Karl Largerfield, and into her own light with light, airy pieces suitable for today’s Chanel woman. No longer is the brand molded for our grandmothers! Virginie broke the mold by bringing Chanel into the 2021 with softer silhouettes with the usage of chiffon for Gen X, accented with with neon prints for Millennials and Gen Y, and low heels for grandma. There, all bases covered.
Remeniscient of young Hollywood, down to the set being a dupe for the iconic Hollywood sign, this season’s collection is worthy of a spotlight, instead of the normal yawn and snoozefest that we have all grown accustomed to, and heralded as fantasy, high fashion, and could rarely be worn anywhere outside of the runway. Even attendees to most runway shows never really wear the most exciting, exaggerated pieces to the shows (that should be a huge hint to cut it with the shits).
In this time of absolute chaos and uncertainty, we want, desire, something we can believe in. A designer collection that is equally beautiful, functional, and related. Gone are the times to for silly pieces that can only be worn on stage. Today’s consumer, wealthy or not-so-much, is educated and discerning. She’s seeking pieces for her wardrobe that can be worn multiple times, multiple ways, multiple years, and that it also contributes to sustainability so that she can insure her purchase was responsible. After all, she’s a smart woman. Purchasing a poufy ball gown with an eight-foot train doesn’t necessarily check the boxes on that list. Chew on that.
In addition, I’m pretty sure the big wig powers that be have more than thoroughly went over the importance of sell through for this collection. Let’s not forget that fashion is still a business, and numbers game. No matter how fantastical a collection is, if it doesn’t sell or resonate with its audience, it’s simply worthless. Period. Consumers are being practical, strategic even, with their spending, focusing more so on home interiors and maintenance during this time. If clothing is to be purchased, it has to be practical. It has to make sense. It has to fit into the current climate and be suitable for the modern lifestyle as we know it, henceforth to surge in loungewear, wide leg pants, low/no heels, and flowy, maxi dresses.
So, cheers, kudos, and congratulations to Virginie on checking all of those boxes, and a job well done. I’ll be interested to see the numbers for this collection over the next several months.
Below, you may watch the Chanel SS21 Runway Show from the comfort of your sofa, desk, or anywhere. Enjoy!