Mark your calendars as the fashion powerhouse is set to present its Cruise 2022 Collection in Dubai this November 2nd.

Photo Credit: Chanel

After the Couture house failed to show its Cruise 2021 collection in Capri, Italy last year due to the pandemic, Chanel could just be the first fashion house to cross overseas after more than a year of lockdown. With the pandemic-related restrictions slowly easing up, physical shows are finally taking place. This is evident when the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced that New York Fashion Week is now going to be held in person— a refreshing sight to see after a year full of virtual shows. 

Punk Met Provence cruise collection was first shown last May in the South of France. Inspired by the 1960 film “Testament of Orpheus” by Jean Cocteau (a dear friend of Coco Chanel herself), Virginie Viard revealed her recent collection to a handful of Chanel’s ambassadors at the Carrières de Lumières, in the village of  Les Baux-de-Provence. Viard’s design was composed of graphic black and white outfits as an ode to the film. However, Viard claims that as much as she loved the film, she was careful not to be too influenced by it, hence why her signature rock-chic aesthetic was distinct through her designs. 

As stated by Chanel, it was Gabriele Chanel who was the first designer to offer clothes and accessories to her clients to be worn specifically for sunny vacations at the end of the 1910s. Now, Chanel makes it to a point to always have destination shows to display their resort collections. 

While Chanel has not yet disclosed a specific location for their Dubai show, it will surely be interesting to see Viard’s edgy black and white collection on the Emirate’s soil. It’s also important to note that Chanel is no stranger when it comes to using elaborate set designs as evident in their past presentations on a supermarket, spaceship, and a literal fake beach. It will be interesting to see how Chanel can incorporate the culture and influences of Dubai in the fashion world in an already-existing collection. 

Photo Credit: Francois Nel / Getty Images

This is also not the first time Chanel presented a cruise collection in UAE. In 2014, the late creative director Karl Lagerfeld presented his Cruise 2015 collection in Dubai. His collection was heavily inspired by the city through the use of vibrant prints, and sequined tops showcasing Dubai’s skyline. 

The physical fashion scene is slowly emerging after a year of live-streamed shows, this highly-anticipated cruise collection show is definitely one to watch out for.

Published by HOLR Magazine.