— Style —

CHANEL’S EGYPTIAN FANTASY

Hildie Plumpepper Illustration and Blog Post by Jill Anthony. Background by Brandon Smith.
pin it

Ahhh… Chanel. Music to any girl’s ears. Earlier this month when I heard Chanel had presented a collection inspired by Ancient Egypt, I googled right away to see it for myself.

Karl Lagerfeld, designer and creative director extraordinaire, did not disappoint. 

Set inside the Egyptian wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the collection was a mash-up of modern silhouettes and high-intensity textures and embellishments. The sparkle of sequins and gold accents brought the Egyptian fantasy to life!

Here’s Karl’s Egyptian show at the Met that set my heart aflutter this week!

At the Egyptian show luxury ruled the runway. The silhouettes were long and lean. There were gauzy floor length sheath dresses underneath textured tweed jackets and skirts. The handiwork involved with these ensembles was breathtaking. Costume jewelry embellishments and intricate embroidery dazzled the eyes!

Now I know what you’re thinking… “But Hildie, surely you don’t expect me to prance around Whole Foods in something like that?”

I’m sure if you showed up at your next dinner party in one of these ensembles the other guests might think you got into the sauce before you arrived and went a little overboard with your accessories. But sometimes, Darlings, it’s just about the fantasy. It’s like looking at a beautiful painting or watching a gorgeously shot movie. It inspires. It transports you to another place.

Fashion forecaster’s always have a takeaway after these shows. They’ll say something like gold will be “major” next fall. I don’t think you’ll see any fashion bloggers spraying their legs gold like the models in the Egyptian show, but there’s always a fashion trickle-down effect. If it’s lots of mosaic costume jewelry piled on, count me in!

Chanel even transformed Paris’s Grand Palais into a sandy beach complete with ebbing waves and lifeguards.

Chanel has always been known for its showstopping runway sets. More of a “fashion experience,” these mega shows have been set in everything from an ultra-luxurious supermarket to a serene underwater fantasy and a hi-tech airport.

Well my fashionable friends, if you have some downtime this holiday, even if you watch only a minute of the Chanel runway show at the Grand Palais in Paris, you’ll have a appreciation for the staging of one of Karl Lagerfeld’s shows. An added bonus is you can do it while still in your pajamas!

Cheers Loves!

XOXO, Hildie


8 Comments

  • Rose December 28, 2018 at 8:04 am

    What’s with the doubles purses?

    • 1010ParkPlace December 28, 2018 at 1:18 pm

      Perhaps it’s nothing more than to get us talking about it, or it’s a way to show more bags. Like Hildie says, fashion should be inspiration. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve loved everything Egyptian. I don’t have a place to wear these clothes, but they peak my fantasies! Brenda

  • Mona Andrei December 28, 2018 at 1:56 pm

    Interesting! I must confess … I’ve never been a trend follower. But I’ve always loved being inspired and transported to other eras and places 🙂

  • Donna O'Klock December 29, 2018 at 9:28 am

    Oh. My. Gold. I could ‘Walk like an Egyptian’ in those over-the-knee gold boots!!
    Thank you, Hildie, for an inspiring year, and the most charming fashion illustrations ever!
    XO

  • Jill Anthony January 2, 2019 at 10:27 am

    Thank you so much Donna! Such a beautiful comment! You made my day! Here’s to year filled with joy! Happy New Year!
    XOXO, Jill

  • LA CONTESSA January 4, 2019 at 7:11 pm

    THANK YOU!
    THAT SHEATH DRESS UNDER IS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!
    THE JEWELS WERE SPOT ON!
    I WANT A LITTLE GOLD HAT LIKE THE MODELS NOW!
    XX

  • Ramit January 6, 2019 at 5:04 am

    Great inspiration! I wouldn’t wear the whole look – except for costume parties – but parts of those looks, oh yes! I think this is the first time I’ve watched a fashion show – two, in fact – to the end, and enjoyed them.

  • Irene January 13, 2019 at 7:03 am

    Thank you for this inspiration! Such a wonderful escape from everyday – it’s good to wake up ideas. The fabrics, the jewelry, the sillouttes… ah, so lovely to watch this morning.

  • You Might Also Like

    MAKE LIFE COUNT.

    Sign up to our list and we’ll send you our sought-after guide “45 Ways To Change Your Life”
    I'm happy you've joined us! If you like what you read, I'd love for you to stay and subscribe to our updates by email. We have a great community of like-minded women, and your presence can only make it stronger.