In April 2025, Chanel unveiled its Cruise 2026 collection in a setting as romantic as the clothes themselves: the iconic Villa d’Este on the edge of Lake Como. The historic estate, with its Renaissance grandeur and views that have long enchanted European aristocracy and Hollywood legends alike, provided more than just a backdrop—it offered a narrative. Inspired by Italian filmmaker Luchino Visconti and the timeless elegance of Romy Schneider—whose collaboration with Gabrielle Chanel in Boccaccio ’70 (1962) served as a creative touchstone—the show unfolded like a film in motion.

With the late-afternoon sun casting golden reflections across the water and wisteria cascading from the terraces, models drifted through the villa in a dreamlike tableau. The collection, shaped by Chanel’s in-house design team, captured the opulent restraint of the setting, transforming it into a wardrobe steeped in quiet luxury and cinematic storytelling.

The Chanel woman, in this context, appeared not as a visitor but as a natural inhabitant of this world—poised, assured, and effortlessly elegant. Embellished robes, flared trousers falling just below the knee, delicately embroidered bib shirts, and sequined gowns evoked both old-world charm and contemporary grace. Each ensemble seemed to narrate a full day, from languid poolside moments to moonlit dinners, threaded with purpose and ease.

While all eyes turn toward Matthieu Blazy’s highly anticipated debut collection this October, Cruise 2026 acted as a thoughtful interlude between legacy and fresh vision. Though Blazy was not in attendance, his presence was subtly felt in the studio’s cohesion and focus. There was no need for spectacle or abrupt reinvention—just a reaffirmation of Chanel’s enduring dialogue with elegance, tradition, and timeless refinement.