Prizes for model theatrics and surprise factor goes to *drumroll please* Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel. It may have been early and a few people may have had sleep in their eyes but they certainly got a wake-up at the Grand Palais where a giant barn jazzed up with double C's had been erected, from which models would jauntily walk out from, wearing a bed-head do and all the pastiches of country dressing using those familiar Chanel traits. Dirndl skirts, aprons, Catholic school-girl dresses and milk maid-esque ensembles and criss-cross chunky wooden clogs ensued with a deliberate tongue in cheek from Lagerfeld. Chanel's elegant arch always managed to prevail though through the super short takes on the Chanel tweed suit or a pair of flared trousers that unbuttoned to the hips as well as a deft consideration for palette and textures.
First comes the clothes, then come the theatrics that topped off the show (you're in trouble if it's the other way around). Lily Allen's hit Not Fair was pretty much a perfect match for the show and so she came up in a hut that was raised from the middle of the stage, performing that track and the models all had a jolly group hoedown dance. Then as if that wasn't enough, we got an ultra camp final finale with Lara Stone, Freja Beha Erichsen and Baptiste Giabiconi falling into the hay in a Chanel-style menage a trois, or quatre if you count Karl Lagerfeld who made his entrance to preside over his country orgy.
Photography by Angela di Paolo
