Why Jean Cocteau? "Because Gabrielle Chanel was close to Cocteau, and I love the film Testament of Orpheus. In particular this magnificent scene: a man with a black horse's head descends into the Carrières de Lumières, his silhouette cut out against the very white walls," explained Virginie Viard. For CHANEL’s Cruise 2021-22 collection, the designer was inspired by this exact scene and created an extremely graphic show.

Very clean silhouettes came in a very distinct pairing between black and white, as nothing is better than this combo to capture and reflect the light. A white, long shirt-dress was completed with a black macramé cape, and a white tweed jacket embroidered with lucky charms with a black dress in velvet and leather. Fringes, leather, beads and sequins joined the collection to add a rock touch reminiscent of the modernity that sets Jean Cocteau’s films apart. And to perfectly embody the idea of 60’s modernity-meets-punk, t-shirts bearing the face of the model Lola Nicon like a rock star were worn with tweed suits trimmed with wide braids and pointed silver Mary-Janes.

Six of these silhouetted were shot by Inez & Vinoodh in the recently restored apartment at 31 rue Cambon, reviving symbols that Gabrielle Chanel always cherished and as concluded Virginie Viard, “giving us access to characters just as extraordinary as herself.”