Chanel’s SS26 show offered a fresh reading of the house’s signature style.
Matthieu Blazy’s first collection focused on structure and texture, while keeping the mood light and easy to wear.
The silhouettes stayed close to Chanel’s foundations. Skirt suits, cropped jackets and pencil skirts formed the base, but the cuts were softer than usual. Jackets ended neatly at the waist, skirts carried a little movement, and tailoring gave shape without looking stiff.
Fabrics were central to the shift. Tweeds were woven more lightly than in winter collections, paired with silks, linens and crisp cottons. This contrast gave the collection air and movement, taking away any sense of weight. Some looks almost floated, a different way of handling material that is normally dense.
The colour palette was controlled and clear. Creams, ivories and pastels led the way, with navy, black and muted jewel shades providing definition. Nothing jarred or clashed. The tones supported the shapes and textures rather than competing with them.
Accessories kept the balance. Quilted handbags were shown in smaller proportions, chain details were slim, and fastenings were subtle. Shoes focused on wearability, from ballet flats to low block heels. Each piece underlined the clothing rather than pulling attention away from it.
This collection was not about spectacle. It was about showing how a signature style can be adjusted without losing identity. The looks could move through the day with ease, practical yet elegant. They felt considered, not forced.
As a statement, SS26 at Chanel read as assured in its restraint. It suggested that even a house with such an established identity can evolve gently, shifting emphasis while staying rooted in what makes it recognisable. The collection came across as a first step from Blazy, measured in tone but clear in intent, setting a path that may sharpen with time.
