Virginie Viard throws open the doors to the Chanel library

Day three of the AW19 Couture season, and this morning we’re up and ready to see Virginie Viard’s first ever collection – sans Karl – at Chanel. Here’s everything you need to know. 

THE SET WAS A LIBRARY 

As always, the show took place in Paris’s Grand Palais, which this time had been turned into an enormous library – with floor-to-ceiling shelves full of books, cosy reading nooks, and Persian rugs. According to Viard, for AW19, the library is open. 

THE LOOKS WERE SIMILARLY BOOKISH

The collection itself was pretty prim, appearing to take its cues from Edwardian librarians: buttoned-up lace collars, full tweed skirts, and nipped-in trouser suits all featured heavily. Elsewhere, models paraded around the circular set in mini skirt-sets with voluminous balloon sleeves, matched with black and white bow-detail booties. Many looks were finished off with metal-framed glasses: book your eye tests now. 

...BUT THINGS GOT A LITTLE SEXIER WHEN IT CAME TO THE EVENINGWEAR

Which featured slim, tweed and velvet jumpsuits embellished with ostrich feathers, full-length chiffon gowns with elaborate straps and ties, and one particularly stand-out pair of glittering, sequin-embellished trousers. Worn by Chanel fave Vittoria Ceretti, the final bridal look this season came in the form of a loose, silk pyjama pant, as paired with a pale pink ruffled bed coat which tied at the waist.