High-flying Blazy turns to birdlife at Chanel

Chanel artistic director Matthieu Blazy drew inspiration from birdlife and Coco Chanel’s life for his latest show in Paris on Monday, a year after presenting his first collection for the fashion house.
The Spring-Summer 2027 collection featured Chanel’s signature tweeds alongside modern touches and knee-length skirts, which are returning to fashion. “It’s a collection about Gabrielle Chanel’s layered stories,” Blazy said, describing Chanel’s journey towards freedom as being “like a bird”.

The show at the Grand Palais featured giant illuminated origami cranes suspended above the runway. Hollywood stars Pedro Pascal and Nicole Kidman joined Dua Lipa and John Malkovich among the front-row guests.
The bird theme had already been introduced through black-and-white photographs by British photographer David Bailey, featuring feathers, nests and bird feet.

Blazy, 42, has focused on gently modernising Chanel since his debut last year, a move that has been praised by fashion critics and embraced by luxury shoppers. Some of his designs have generated “Blazymania”, with customers rushing to buy pieces costing thousands of dollars. Chanel’s revenues rose around 16 percent in the first half of this year compared with the same period in 2025, according to Bloomberg.
Elsewhere, Australian label Zimmermann presented a romantic, airy Spring-Summer collection inspired by butterflies. Actresses Uma Thurman, Naomi Watts and Sarah Snook attended the show. The brand, founded by sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann, became the first Australian member of the French Haute Couture and Fashion Federation in July and is rapidly expanding its store network.

Uruguayan designer Gabriela Hearst dedicated her latest collection to Afghan women, drawing on traditional symbols, prints and craftsmanship. White looks incorporated small mirrors, while dresses featured full skirts, fitted bodices and motifs such as pomegranates.
The collection highlighted Afghanistan’s textile traditions and the work of women artisans who continue to preserve and develop the country’s craft heritage.
Paris Womenswear Fashion Week will close on Tuesday with shows by Ukrainian designer Litkovska, Georgia’s Situationist and Louis Vuitton. -AFP