Legendary fashion house Chanel presented its Cruise Collection 2022 at the Monte-Carlo Beach on Thursday, a series of designs inspired by the Grand Prix, tennis, and the glamorous Riviera.

Chanel on Thursday kicked off its first international Cruise show since Creative Director Virginie Viard made her debut at the head of the label in 2019.

Around 400 guests were seated on deck chairs at the Monte-Carlo Beach as models navigated a sandy catwalk to showcase 67 new looks from Viard, including the cornerstones of Chanel – tweed suits and two-tone shoes, but also outfits inspired by the Grand Prix – checkered patterns, flags, logoed pilot helmets, and F1-style jumpsuits; as well as chic tennis looks, and metallic trousers.

Celebrity guests included actress Kristen Stewart, a Chanel ambassador since 2013, Vanessa Paradis, Tilda Swindon, Sofia Coppola, G-Dragon, and of course Charlotte Casiraghi, who has been an ambassador and spokesperson for the House since 2021.

Viard had invited Sofia and Roman Coppola to direct a film trailer of the collection. It was released publicly on Thursday to coincide with the runway show. It features actress and brand ambassador Lyna Khoudri, as well as models Blesnya Minher, HyunJi Shin, Mariam de Vinzelle and Vivienne Rohner. It showcases everything the Riviera is famous for – hot days by the pool, sunsets on the terrace, tennis matches and boat trips. It also features archival images of Gabrielle Chanel on the French Riviera, the brand’s campaigns imagined by Karl Lagerfeld in Monaco, Grace Kelly in a tweed suit, Princess Caroline on the Rock, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington in sequined jackets, and Charlotte Casiraghi posing for Inez & Vinoodh.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdLZtXsutVN/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

American designer Coco Chanel is credited with starting the concept of Cruise Collections in 1919, showcasing off-season fashion for affluent women who vacationed in places like the French Riviera in search of mid-winter sun. This region has since been a constant source of inspiration for the luxury French label.

The show was followed by lunch at the Maybourne Riviera, ending with a sunset dinner at La Vigie, the neoclassical villa once home to Karl Lagerfeld.

See the collection trailer below…

image source: screenshot of Chanel video