On April 29th, 2025, the French luxury house presented its Chanel Cruise 2026 (Resort 2026) collection at the iconic Villa d’Este, which overlooks the picturesque Lake Como in Italy. The show marked a thoughtful transition between Virginie Viard‘s departure and Matthieu Blazy‘s highly anticipated debut as the new Artistic director, scheduled for October in Paris.
Designed by Chanel‘s in-house Studio de Création, the collection embodied relaxed yet sophisticated vacation elegance. The runway presentation unfolded on the lush terrace of Villa d’Este, where models showcased the looks against the backdrop of one of Italy’s most romantic destinations.
Among the celebrity attendees were Keira Knightley, who wore a floor-length white silk ensemble adorned with large bows that perfectly embodied the refined Villa d’Este guest, and Sofia Coppola, who attended with her husband, Thomas Mars. Sofia Coppola, who directed the show’s teaser and short film, attended with her husband, Thomas Mars. Lupita Nyong’o, Margaret Qualley and Anna Mouglalis completed the star-studded front row.
The collection’s color scheme drew inspiration from Villa d’Este itself – terracotta hues reflected the hotel’s walls, soft pastels mimicked the blooming wisteria throughout its gardens, and vibrant touches of bougainvillea and camellia were added. Textural variety was central to the presentation. Macramé, crochet, and intricate lace brought depth to svelte silhouettes reminiscent of those worn by Romy Schneider in Luchino Visconti’s Boccaccio ’70.
Standout pieces included a fluid pajama set in matte gold cloqué; a daring, backless jumpsuit in pink and orange striped lamé, paired with a matching cape; and sequin-trimmed, lilac tweed suits. The show opened with a robe manteau suitable for beachwear, and it concluded with sinuous evening gowns in liquid satin and black taffeta that radiated dramatic elegance.
For a younger clientele, the collection offered tweed miniskirts in wisteria hues, short taffeta dresses with flounces and ruffles in peach and pink tones, and a gold Lurex damask trouser suit that added subtle disco flair. Classic tweeds, camellias, statement jewelry, and strings of pearls remained present throughout the collection, paying homage to Chanel’s skilled artisans through detailed embroideries, beadwork, and rhinestone embellishments.
Bruno Pavlovsky, president of Chanel’s fashion division, noted that securing Villa d’Este was “no easy feat,” given its popularity for prestigious events. He emphasized the importance of location in creating fantasy and enhancing storytelling. The timing was particularly significant, as it followed Chanel’s recent acquisition of a minority stake in Como-based silk specialist Mantero, with whom the fashion house has maintained a partnership for 52 years.
Pavlovsky explained, “What we learned from Karl and Virginie is the importance of the Chanel silhouette and the clarity of Chanel style – and keeping that alive, meaningful, and strong will be Matthieu’s next mission.” He added that, while a designer must lead with vision, “it’s the strength of the team that brings collections to life,” noting that Blazy will work with many of the same team members who created this collection.
The fashion community responded positively to the Cruise 2026 offerings. Reviews described the collection as “better than what we’ve seen for the past two to three seasons” and noted “an easiness, simplicity, and relaxation that contrasts with the heaviness of previous offerings.” Critics appreciated the lighter, sexier approach compared to recent seasons.
The Lake Como setting connected meaningfully to Chanel’s history. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel first fell in love with Italy in 1920 when she took a trip to Venice with friends. Later, in the 1930s, Visconti hosted her at Villa Erba near Lake Como. This historical connection added depth to the collection, which evoked the Italian resort lifestyle through French craftsmanship while avoiding direct nostalgia.
The Chanel Cruise 2026 collection elegantly clears the palate between Creative directors, honoring Italian craftsmanship while maintaining the brand’s distinctive French identity before Matthieu Blazy introduces his fresh perspective this fall.
©Photo: Chanel
