Luxury fashion powerhouse Chanel is once again turning its spotlight to the South of France, revealing plans to showcase its much-anticipated cruise collection in Marseille on May 2 for the spring of 2025. The iconic label, led by Creative Director Virginie Viard, is known for its affinity with the French Riviera and is set to embrace the energy and cultural vitality of Marseille for this special event.
Chanel’s Ongoing Love Affair with the Mediterranean
Chanel’s connection with the Mediterranean has been a recurrent theme, with previous cruise collections staged in Monaco and the Carrières de Lumières in Baux-de-Provence. The label’s dedication to celebrating the maritime world and its fundamentals is evident in each carefully chosen location.
In 2018, the models descended from a grand ocean liner named La Pausa for the cruise fashion show in Paris, paying homage to Gabrielle Chanel’s villa in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. The latest Spring/Summer 2024 collection drew inspiration from the famed Villa Noailles in Hyères, emphasizing Chanel’s ongoing commitment to maritime aesthetics.
A Nod to Chanel’s Historical Roots: The Evolution of Cruise Collections
Gabrielle Chanel’s introduction of a mid-season collection in 1919 at her Biarritz boutique laid the foundation for cruise collections, tailored for customers accustomed to seaside resorts and yachting. Although the concept fell into disuse in the 1950s, it was resurrected by Karl Lagerfeld in 1983. Lagerfeld’s introduction of silhouettes at the end of spring, alongside ready-to-wear, revitalized the cruise collection tradition, becoming an annual fashion show spectacle from the 2000s onwards.
Chanel’s decision to unveil its cruise collection in Marseille is a testament to its commitment to cultural diversity and the vibrant essence of one of the Mediterranean’s most effervescent cities.
