Chanel’s Impressionist-inspired Paris Fashion Week show: Margaret Qualley ended the romantic runway launch with a wedding dress and a bouquet toss – complete with rose petals

Jul 7 , 2021

Full of romance: Chanel’s autumn/winter 2021-2022 haute couture collection fashion show at the Palais Galliera in Paris, on July 6, 2021. Photo: AFP

Sofia Coppola, Carole Bouquet and other celebrities mingled at the Palais Galliera fashion museum, where a Gabrielle Chanel exhibition is on show

Virginie Viard was inspired by Edouard Manet, creating colourful tweed suits – a brand signature – and ruffled dresses for its haute couture collection

Colourful flowers, sequins and feathers adorned Chanel’s Impressionist-inspired haute couture show in Paris on Tuesday, July 6, held in front of a live audience as Covid-19 restrictions ease in France.

Celebrities including film director Sofia Coppola and French actress Carole Bouquet mingled in the courtyard of the Palais Galliera fashion museum, where an exhibition on Chanel’s founder, Gabrielle Chanel, is currently on show.

A model presents a creation by Chanel as part of its autumn/winter 2021-2022 haute couture collections during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, on July 6, 2021. Photo: Xinhua

Designer Virginie Viard said she had looked to the artists Berthe Morisot, Marie Laurencin and Edouard Manet as well as to English gardens for inspiration for the autumn/winter 2021-2022 haute couture line.

Tops, dresses and skirts were embellished with floral motifs, with one frock embroidered with water lilies and a black coat adorned with pink and yellow tulle pom-poms.

“There are Impressionist-inspired dresses, skirts that look like paintings,” Viard said in a statement.