Chanel Spring-Summer 2026 Haute Couture: An Impossible Lightness

Paris, France - January 27, 2026 - This morning, The Grand Palais hosted a botanical fever dream for the debut of Matthieu Blazy. He peeled back the heavy layers of Chanel's heritage to find something more personal for his Haute Couture debut.

The set of the runway show was surreal. Guests walked into a landscape of towering red colored mushrooms, bright spring colors, and weeping willow structures setting the stage for a collection Blazy calls “impossible lightness.”

An image capturing three models showcase whimsical, light-colored ensembles on a runway decorated with large, oversized mushroom sculptures. — Images courtesy of Chanel

The clothes themselves were inspired by Chanel’s most famous silhouette. Using silk mousseline and translucent blush organza. The garments that retained the classic shape were turned soft and moved weightless as Blazy considered it “ghostly.”

Models walked the runway with personal love letters, lucky charms, and secret dates hidden inside of their linings. Blazy noted backstage “it only matters when it's worn. I wanted to give these women a canvas to tell their own stories, not just ours.”

An image capturing three models surrounded by big mushrooms sculptures, displaying different styles that include textures. — Images courtesy of Chanel

Blazy preserved the House by mixing Gabrielle Chanel's obsession with movement and freedom with a modern edge. After this show, he has signaled a shift in the House’s trajectory. “Couture is Chanel’s soul,” he noted. “But it must be wearable to be meaningful.”

Three images of models walking on a runway set with giant mushrooms, wearing detailed garments featuring fringe and vibrant textures. — Images courtesy of Chanel

Image of models walk a fun runway set featuring large mushroom sculptures in textured, multi-layered outfits. — Images courtesy of Chanel

Three images of models wearing legant designs that feature dramatic textured accents and fringe. — Images courtesy of Chanel

Three images capturing runway models outfits that feature bold patterns, intricate textures, and fringe details. — Images courtesy of Chanel

Article by Lily Kalbasz, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine

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