Chanel Cruise 2026: A Cinematic Escape to Lake Como
Author: Phuriwat Hirunrangsee | Photographer: Courtesy of Chanel
May 08, 2025
"...A storied villa steeped in history, with manicured gardens cascading towards the shimmering waters of Lake Como. A chilled cocktail in one hand, your favourite book in the other — the sort of idyllic holiday fantasy we all quietly dream of. For Chanel’s Cruise 2026 collection, that dream came vividly to life at the exquisite Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy — and it was every bit as enchanting as one might expect..."
But this was far more than just a beautiful setting. Chanel understands the art of storytelling, and this narrative wove together fashion, film and fantasy with unmistakable finesse. The house’s connection to Italian cinema runs deep — from Gabrielle Chanel’s friendship with the legendary Luchino Visconti to Romy Schneider’s unforgettable Chanel looks in “Boccaccio ’70”, a cinematic moment now firmly etched into fashion history. Naturally, Sofia Coppola — a close friend of the house — was invited to direct a short teaser film for the collection, starring the ethereal Ida Heiner in scenes that captured the essence of luxurious escape with effortless grace.
Heiner also opened the runway show in the very same look she wore in the film: a white sequinned robe reimagined as an ultra-chic cover-up, layered pearl necklaces, oversized sunglasses, high-heeled sandals and a generous tote bag with a rolled-up deck towel peeking out. From that moment on, the collection unfolded like a holiday reverie — a sun-drenched ode to la dolce vita, channelled through the lens of Chanel.
The house codes were all present and correct — tweed, camellias, strings of pearls — but refreshed with a Riviera ease. Sailor collars adorned cropped jackets and soft shirts, while flared, below-the-knee trousers and bib-front crop tops offered a modern yet nostalgic silhouette. Chanel’s famed craftsmanship shone through in every detail — from the delicate floral lace to light-as-air tweeds and hand-embroidered embellishments that caught the Italian light just so.
Fabrication played a starring role. Striped cotton knits were paired with vivid swimsuits made for lounging on an orange deckchair beside the lake. Lace evoked the garden’s magnolias and oleanders in bloom, while gold Lurex damask hinted at subtle disco glamour. The styling? Silk scarves tied at the crown, raffia handbags in irresistible shapes, and a parade of glossy mules that made even a gravel path feel like a catwalk.
For the Gen Z crowd, there were pastel taffeta mini-dresses trimmed with ruffles — flirty, but never frivolous — and breezy lamé maxis in sorbet hues of pink and orange, perfect for an evening aperitivo at the hotel bar. The overall mood was one of sophisticated ease — fashion for those rare, sunlit days when style becomes second nature.
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With Matthieu Blazy’s debut for the house arriving in October, this collection served as an elegant interlude. While some may have longed for a more dramatic statement, Chanel offered something subtler — an escapist fantasy steeped in timeless beauty. And in doing so, the house reminded us that sometimes, a perfectly told story is more than enough.
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