I’ve been trying to find a way to comment diplomatically about the shoes and fashions at the SS2011 Chanel show but find that words fail me. I am trying very hard to politely express my disappointment in both the shoes and fashion that were shown.
First, the shoes:
And the sandals? I am incredibly *not feeling* these chunky, chopine-quasi-wedge platforms (top & middle row). When it’s done right, chunky heels can be elegant simplicity, youthfully fun, or even sweetly retro-referencing; these bizarre sandals are just sad-making. I tried to find something positive to say about them, but I’m too busy recoiling in horror and falling into a terrified fugue to do so.
Now, on to the clothes. I was simply not impressed compared to my usual reactions to offerings from Chanel. Chanel, to me, has always held a timeless appeal and glamour. This show seems to be grasping for the youthful buyer at the possible risk of losing that sense of elegant timelessness. I understand the desire & need of a fashion house to appeal to and stay relevant with successive generations of buyers. But the Chanel woman is classic, tailored, and elegant. She epitomizes effortless style rather than trendiness. So, the abundance of deconstructed fabrics and strangely ill-fitting styles on this runway took me by surprise.
Yes, the jackets on the hot-suits are gorgeous, but please, let’s dial back on the cooch-flashing outfits. They’re just silly and unflattering.
Luckily, there were looks here and there that managed that difficult balancing act of feeling current while still being recognizably Chanel. Here are a few that seem to succeed in being wholly Chanel yet also modern in sensibility:
As always, your mileage may vary.
Whoops, looks like I found my words after all
