Paris Haute Couture Week: Chanel’s autumn/winter 2022-23 collection by Virginie Viard is a dreamy vision of gentle colours, lines and shapes – and statement details

Jul 6 , 2022

Models present creations from the autumn/winter 2022-23 haute couture collection by French designer Virginie Viard for Chanel fashion house during the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris, France, on July 5. Photo: EPA-EFE

Brand ambassador Pharrell Williams kicked off the runway show, which took place at the Etrier de Paris equestrian centre in the Bois de Boulogne forest

Celebrity guests from Marion Cotillard to Keira Knightley marvelled at the venue and the looks alike, from sporty takes on mermaid dresses to sweeping A-line coats

Birds tweeted – not fashionistas – the day Chanel brought its couture guests to the calm of the Bois de Boulogne forest.

On Tuesday morning, July 5, bleary-eyed VIPs walked across tons of white sand through the Etrier de Paris equestrian centre on the leafy outskirts of Paris, past lines of spinning wheels and inflatable capsules as nature, fashion and art mingled.

A gown with a geometric print accessorised with a wide-brimmed hat from the autumn/winter 2022-2023 haute couture collection of Chanel, shown during the Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, on July 5. Photo: Xinhua

The dreamscape had been specially made for autumn/winter by artist Xavier Veilhan, who had adorned Chanel’s indoor ring venue with a gargantuan silver mobile. It had guests – including Marion Cotillard and Keira Knightley – gawping.

A dreamy all-white look topped with a bow from the autumn/winter 2022-2023 haute couture collection of Chanel during the Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, on July 5. Photo: Xinhua

With a somewhat incongruous drum rendition via video recording, Chanel ambassador Pharrell Williams rousingly kicked off proceedings before the “real” show began – to soft music and even softer form.

A sweeping black dress from Chanel’s women’s haute couture autumn/winter 2023 presentation at Fashion Week in Paris, on July 5. Photo: AFP

A halter neck, floral gown from Chanel’s women’s haute couture autumn/summer 2023 collection, shown at Fashion Week in Paris, on July 5. Photo: AFP

A striped coat over a dress with the same pattern, presented by Chanel for its women’s haute couture autumn/winter 2023 Fashion Week in Paris, on July 5. Photo: AFP

Designer Virginie Viard brought a soft mood to Chanel’s women’s haute couture autumn/winter 2023 collection at Fashion Week in Paris, on July 5. Photo: AFP

Gentle colours, lines and shapes, punctuated by moments of dazzling buttons, floaty plumes and large hats was the simple formula for Virginie Viard. The French designer was in a soft mood for couture this season, letting subtle twists do the talking.