To launch Karl Lagerfeld’s latest Cruise collection unveiled at the legendary Hotel du Cap – Eden Roc, the house of Chanel organised a series of events to further extend the 36-hour experience.
To launch Karl Lagerfeld’s latest Cruise collection unveiled at the legendary Hotel du Cap – Eden Roc, the house of Chanel organised a series of events to further extend the 36-hour experience.
A dinner in Lagerfeld’s honour set off the proceedings. Guests arriving at Le Michelangelo – a restaurant in old Antibes – were greeted by champagne and freshly baked pizza slices covered with black truffle shavings. A seated dinner – feast-like for boasting five courses – was held opposite in a marquee, illuminated by fairy lights. Invitees slid into school-like wooden benches and ate at three long tables, decorated with red and white checked tablemats and matching napkins tied with italicised nametags. When Lagerfeld appeared, there were cheers. The well-thought placement led to new friendships, animated conversations and smoking powwows in view of an authentic fruit market, created by Chanel for the occasion.
The following morning, fleets of Matrix-like black cars – recognisable by Chanel’s double C insignia – arrived at the bucolic region of Grasse. Surrounded by fields of May Rose bushes (30 tons of petals are handpicked and pressed each year for Chanel No.5) – simple white tables and linen parasols were arranged for an elaborate picnic. Pounced upon delicacies included goat’s cheese mixed within a fig-flavoured compote and a salty caramel dessert, spooned out of a mini-glass jar. A balmy afternoon with azure skies, it was heady with the sweet rose fragrance and general childish abandonment: exemplified by whoops of glee when plates of macaroons were delivered and a queue for baby-sized cones, served by the ice-cream stand.
A few hours later, security measures around the Hotel du Cap caused traffic jams. All cars lacking Chanel’s Cruise show invitation were turned away by slickly attired Gendarmes. After walking through the hotel, invitees were immediately struck by the panoramic view of the glittering Cote d’Azur and the garden’s alleyway, transformed by custom-made parasols and robin’s-egg-blue armchairs.
Lagerfeld’s show began before sundown. It was aimed at a modern and ultra-privileged clientele – the type to own boats and only fly private. Daywear included fitted, midi-length tweed suits, embroidered twinsets, flared trousers slit up the calf and sleek black swimsuits whereas nightwear was a tour-de-force of sporty black and white cocktail dresses and staggering evening gowns – either embroidered or starkly simple in ivory satin. A key Coco Chanel element ran throughout via the prominent use of diamonds, ninety haute joallerie pieces in total: inspired by her 1932 landmark collection.
Guests were then ushered down to the hotel’s deck, freshly installed with armchairs, sofas and heat-bearing flames for the scantily clad. The languid cocktail moment was broken by a viewing of Lagerfeld’s film: The Tale of A Fairy. Shot in a grand, sprawling villa outside St. Tropez, it continued ‘the rich are different’ ambience of his Cruise collection. Starring Kristen McMenamy and Amanda Harlech as two quarrelsome sisters, their decadent lifestyle entails ruthless freeloaders, black tie parties and losing vast sums at casinos until a fairy appears in the form of model Freja Beha. She seduces Anna Mouglalis – a miserably cuckolded houseguest - and transcends her existence.
Chanel’s decision to follow Lagerfeld’s much-admired film with a surprise Bryan Ferry concert defined inspired. Ferry began with Slave to Love and gathered a surging crowd, desperate to dance upfront. Most sung along to his Roxy Music hits while others keenly pointed out that the band’s drummer was Tara Ferry, the singer’s youngest son. And proving that the fashion world does eat, there was a terrifying high-heeled stampede to dine inside afterwards. Highlights included a sushi bar and an army of marshmallow brochettes, readily prepared for dunking in the chocolate fountain.
Text by Natasha Fraser Cavassoni
Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni is a Paris-based British journalist who covers fashion and lifestyle as well as being the author of Sam Spiegel – The Biography of A Hollywood Legend, Understanding Chic, an essay from the Paris Was Ours anthology and soon-to-be released Chanel book, for Assouline's fashion series.
