There are fashion shows—and then there’s Chanel. Attending a Chanel show feels like stepping into a parallel universe, where elegance, heritage, and imagination collide, BEFORE the first model even hits the runway. As a stylist who lives and breathes fashion, receiving an invitation to this show wasn’t just a career milestone—it was a dream wrapped in a black grosgrain ribbon.
The Invitation: A Dream Years in the Making
I’d been chasing an invitation for years—if not decades. I asked every insider I knew about the secret, and the secret is: there is no clear formula. Sometimes, it’s about being in the right place at the right time.
In my case, years of quietly planting the seed with connections finally paid off. Less than a week before the Paris show, a contact from VIC (very important client) Relations texted, “Good news is coming your way.” I knew what she meant. Exhausted from a month of overseas fashion travel, the last thing I wanted was another international flight. But I’d always promised myself: if Chanel calls, I’ll answer. So, I jumped to book a flight and hotel with just a few days to go.
The story’s moral and tips for an invite: If you want to attend a Chanel show, start by spreading the word with your local boutique managers and following up strategically. Overdoing it can burn bridges. Purchasing across multiple product categories—ready-to-wear, fine jewelry, fragrance, and home goods helps. Chanel (like all brands) loves clients who live the full brand lifestyle. You want to be the person who wears the boots and wraps themselves in the blanket. If you really want to be noticed in the boutique, wear some of your favorite pieces while shopping. The sales associates may be your biggest advocates.
Engage a stylist to help in the process of securing the invite. They may have helpful ideas and contacts.
Chanel hosted dinner the night before the show
Arrival: A Whisper of Prestige
Upon arrival at my hotel room in Paris, I was greeted by flowers, branded gift bags, and the invitation on my coffee table. The French really do know how to set a tone. This wasn’t just a fashion show. It was a moment. Chanel shows are reserved for the house’s most elite clientele, global editors, muses, and a few of us who help shape the visual language of fashion. I was honored—and still am.
Dinner before the show look
Arriving at the Venue: Stepping Into Another World
The moment my car door opened, the outside world disappeared. Photographers swarmed, hunting for the next It Girl or standout look. I’m not usually on that side of the lens, but at a Chanel show, it feels right to be noticed. And as a stylist, the inspiration was overwhelming—archival Chanel, clever reworks of classics, and modern nods to the house’s DNA. Everyone in attendance had a point of view. And every look told a story.
Pre-show photos at the Grand Palais
What I Wore: Dressing for Chanel
What you wear to a Chanel show matters. This is the most exclusive invite of the week. It’s not about being flashy—it’s about speaking the brand’s language. My look: a black flowing jumpsuit styled as overalls over a white, sleeveless tuxedo blouse. Side note: I’ve worn this jumpsuit multiple times; for black tie and casual, making this my most versatile luxury purchase in 2024. A white boater hat with a camellia flower and a vintage triple strand of faux pearls completed the look. The goal was to channel Coco herself—she famously wore men’s clothing and costume jewelry and styled with intention over opulence.
Most people don’t realize Gabrielle Chanel introduced costume jewelry into fashion. At a time when jewels screamed wealth, she shifted the focus to style and attitude. Her words say it best:
“It’s disgusting to walk around with millions around the neck just because one is rich. The point of jewelry isn’t to make a woman look rich but to adorn her; not the same thing.”
Styling Tips I Live By for Fashion Week:
- Classic Codes, Reimagined: Pull from the archives. Mix history with now. It keeps your look rooted yet fresh.
- Polished Makes Perfect: A fashion show is your moment to go all in. Wear the hat. Go bold with your hair. Let your makeup artist bring the drama.
- Beauty Is Part of the Look: Makeup isn’t an afterthought—it’s your finishing touch. A bold lip, sculpted cheek, and/or a strong smokey eye adds the editorial edge that completes a look. At fashion week, everyone’s dressed to impress. You should be too.
The Show: Magic in Motion
When the proverbial lights dim and the first model steps out—it’s pure fashion alchemy. Chanel’s legacy of tweeds, pearls, suiting, and accessories will forever dominate the collections.
For me, it’s more than spectacle—it’s research. I’m clocking color stories, shapes, and textures. These references will shape my clients’ wardrobes and editorial shoots in the months ahead.
The Afterglow
Walking out of a Chanel show feels like leaving a dream. The city looks different, like you’ve just stepped through a portal. For a stylist, this is more than a seat at a runway—it’s a front-row view into fashion’s future. And when it’s Chanel, it’s also a masterclass in elegance, imagination, and craft.
I’m already looking ahead to October 2025, when Matthieu Blazy takes the reins as creative director. With Chanel’s rich heritage, and a new visionary stepping in, I can only imagine what magic is next.
