A Beautiful Ode to Art ... Chanel SS2014

The collaboration between fashion and fine art is not something new. The trend was en vogue back in spring 2008 – the season where almost every fashionista turned into a mobile, living art gallery. 

And when I thought the trend may be just another fling that goes with the wind, Karl Lagerfeld brought it back into the scene at Chanel’s spring/summer 2014 ready-to-wear presentation.

Set in an Art Biennale-esque ambiance where the runway serves dual purpose – as what it is and as an exhibition ground featuring specially commissioned artworks by top notch fine artistes – fashion editors and reviewers alike were constantly raving about the show.

However, if you ask me, I’d rather say that the real show stealer would always be the collection itself. For spring/summer 2014, Lagerfeld gave the fashion house’s storied tweed fabric a meticulous twist. 

Rather than being spun using its archetypal woollen threads, the Chanel version of tweed were spun out of ribbons of other materials such as chiffon, organza, lace and scoubidou threads; transformed into haute must-have pieces that are perfect to greet the arrival of spring.

Apart from the reinvented tweed, other novel materials such as rubberised guipure, double sided crepe de chine, silicon motif printed lace, just to list a few, are doused in eclectic palette mixture of Chanel’s quintessential black, white and navy with splashes of blue, pink, yellow and green of various permutations – bright, pastel or fluorescent.  

As the chill of winter is still present especially during the start of the season, dresses in crochet knits, concrete-effect leather or stencilled-finished would certainly keep you chic and warm.  The shoulder area on most pieces is either bare on both sides (in the form of rounded cut-outs or slanted to one shoulder, and some come with collars as well.

Traditional suits are given a new lease of style through the combination of three, four, and even five pieces while Chanel’s inevitable icon – the jacket – is reinvented in different styles such as sleeveless with slender cut, supple and belted, and cut away over the bust and framing square shoulder.

The skirts are long with side slits while wide-legged trousers are paired with cool mini sweaters that are worn either knotted around the waist or around the neck. Nevertheless, my pick of the crop, without doubt, is the multicolour print collection that is certainly de rigueur for this season.

Adding a punch of vivacity and a touch of jeunesse to your spring/summer wardrobe, strokes of artist brush in delightful rainbow hues are seen on dresses, bra tops, skirts and even a single men shirt with fun detailing such as ruffles or hems trimmed with lace. 

What’s more, a few looks from the multicolour set have made their way on the cover of world’s coveted fashion glossies.

Case in point: supermodel Karolina Kurková wore a silk top and silk skirt with lace border from the collection for the February issue of Harper’s Bazaar Malaysia and Singapore covers.

To accompany the sumptuous selection is a coterie of innovative accessories du jour such as oversized pearl in many chic incarnations with one of them is in the form of a headphone around the neck, tagged backpacks with graffiti touch, mosaic adorned tote bags, quilted two-toned art portfolios and two-toned Plexiglas minaudière. 

As for footwear, the cool knit and patent leather boots with high heels and multicolour toile boots fully adorned with Chanel logo print bring out the edginess in you.

Chanel SS2014 ready-to-wear and accessories will be available at all Chanel boutiques worldwide starting March 2014. 

 

*Images courtesy of Chanel
  
Chanel – Lot C Gol6-07, Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.