Few fashion houses have mastered the art of setting trends quite like CHANEL. Founded in 1910 by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, the Parisian Maison revolutionised women’s fashion by liberating them from corsets and introducing easy elegance—think little black dresses, tweed suits, quilted bags, and two-tone slingbacks. Over a century later, CHANEL continues to redefine the codes of luxury, merging heritage with a modern, effortless sophistication that keeps it perennially relevant.
For the Cruise 2025/26 collection, CHANEL transported its global audience to an Italian dreamscape—the legendary Villa d’Este on the serene shores of Lake Como. More than just a venue, the Renaissance palace became the soul of the collection, inspiring silhouettes, colours, and moods that evoke glamorous escapes and languid summer evenings. The Maison’s Creation Studio captured the location’s rarefied atmosphere, crafting a wardrobe that balances playfulness and couture precision.
The collection itself is a symphony of breezy indulgence. Short flounced taffeta ball gowns in pastel shades of peach, pink, and lake blue set the tone, their airy silhouettes catching the light like ripples on water. CHANEL’s iconic tweed gets a summer makeover—infused with sun-washed hues of ochre, yellow, and orange—echoing the villa’s ochre walls and sun-dappled terraces. A dance-inspired energy permeates the line-up, from lightweight sequin-swathed trouser suits to glittering black flared ensembles that shimmer under evening lights.
Among the highlights is a low-cut, backless jumpsuit in pink-and-orange striped lamé, slipping effortlessly under a long cape—a nod to the Maison’s love of theatrical entrances. Evening pyjamas appear in gold lurex damask, while black taffeta bustier dresses float beneath ethereal capes. Voluminous ivory blouses with beaded braids illuminate crisp white trousers, adding a touch of daytime drama.
There is also a strong floral narrative woven into the collection, mirroring the lush Villa d’Este gardens. Lacework and chiffon flowers bloom across skirt suits and flared dresses, while cropped Spencer jackets and straight-cut white trousers channel a subtle maritime elegance. Cruise staples—nautical stripes, jersey trouser suit, white pea coats, knitted cardigan, dress and polos—anchor the collection in CHANEL’s tradition of resort wear, but with a playful twist, painted in strawberry ice cream hues and splashes of colour.
Accessories are as decadent as the garments themselves: strands of pearls, minaudières, oversized poolside bags, patent leather mules and silk foulard scarves knotted around wrists and ankles—the ultimate poolside chic. Long Hollywood gloves and black sunglasses complete the cinematic tableau, offering a dose of mystery and glamour.
Star-studded guests who graced the event were Keira Knightley, Lupita Nyong’o, Margaret Qualley, Nana Komatsu, Fala Chen, Ning Chang and Sarah Katherine Hook, among others, who were all seen gorgeously decked in CHANEL attires.
Adding to the allure, filmmaker Sofia Coppola—a longtime friend of the Maison—directed the show’s teaser film. Featuring model Ida Heiner wandering through the villa’s marble staircases, ochre terrace, and lakeside rooms, the short film is a love letter to the setting itself. Through Coppola’s lens, time seems suspended, allowing viewers to indulge in daydreams of eternal Italian summers.
With this Cruise collection, CHANEL once again reaffirms its status as a fashion trailblazer. It is not merely clothing, but a curated escape—a reverie of light, movement, and beauty set against one of the most enchanting backdrops in the world. As the show concluded on the banks of Lake Como, it was clear: CHANEL’s Cruise 2025/26 is not just a collection, but an invitation to live la dolce vita, the CHANEL way.
