Karl Lagerfeld needed a dramatic space to show his Chanel collection for the fall, so he chose the Grand Palais. The huge space made the enormous gathering of the fashion elite seem insignificant when compared to his runway showing. The master showed suits, embroidery, chiffon, and evening wear. Most were in the subdued colors that will be so fashionable this fall. Tweeds with belled skirts, bunchy cap sleeves and rolls of material at the waist or hemline were very striking.
When showing in the Grand Palais -- a soaring dome of a space capable of dwarfing an enormous audience and miniaturizing any runway -- Karl Lagerfeld had to exaggerate to make his theme carry. Thus, a 50-foot set was craned in to announce the season's keynote: in this case, a vas,t multilevel stack of steel-gray tubes, suggesting organ pipes.
The video above shows the exuberant set design at the show.
Take a look at some more from the spring/summer 2009 Paris Couture week, followed by the previous Chanel show at the Grand Palais.
Exuberant Couture Stages
Chanel at the Grand Palais
Trend Themes
1. Exaggerated Runway Sets - There is an opportunity for designers to experiment with larger-than-life runway sets to create a memorable and impactful show experience.
2. Emphasis on Dramatic Fashion Shows - As the Grand Palais provides a dramatic space, there is a trend towards more elaborate and dramatic fashion shows to wow the audience and create buzz.
3. Subdued Color Palette in Fashion - Following the trend set by Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel collection, there is an opportunity for designers to create high-fashion pieces using subdued colors, while still making a statement.
Industry Implications
1. Luxury Fashion - Luxury fashion brands have an opportunity to use dramatic runway sets and subdued color palettes to creatively showcase their latest collections.
2. Event Planning - Event planners and production companies can offer elaborate set design services to fashion brands and designers looking to create a show-stopping runway experience.
3. Video Production - As fashion shows become more dramatic and elaborate, there is a growing need for professional video production services to capture and showcase these events for a wider audience.