Chanel transformed the Grand Palais in Paris into a whimsical, fairytale-inspired forest for its Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show. The set, centered around a giant, stylized beanstalk, served as the backdrop for a collection that blended the fashion house’s traditional tweed heritage with ethereal, storybook-inspired craftsmanship.
A Fairytale Aesthetic at the Grand Palais
For the Fall/Winter 2024-2025 Haute Couture collection, Chanel creative teams looked toward the motifs of folklore and fantasy. The show’s centerpiece—a massive, climbing beanstalk—dominated the nave of the Grand Palais, which has long served as the brand’s signature venue for major seasonal presentations. According to Vogue Runway, the production design leaned into a "theatrical, woodland" theme, signaling a departure from the starker architectural sets seen in previous seasons.
The collection featured a palette dominated by deep forest greens, metallic silvers, and classic Chanel black and white. Designers incorporated intricate embroidery, feather work, and lace to mimic natural elements like leaves and bark, grounding the fantasy theme in the house’s rigorous couture standards.
Evolution of Chanel’s Couture Strategy
This presentation comes at a transition point for the luxury house. Following the departure of creative director Virginie Viard in June 2024, the collection was developed by the brand’s internal fashion creation studio. As reported by The Business of Fashion, the show was designed to maintain continuity while the label searches for a permanent successor to lead the creative direction.
Industry analysts note that Chanel’s couture shows remain a vital marketing pillar for the brand, even as it navigates a leadership change. Despite broader economic headwinds in the luxury sector, the house continues to prioritize the high-margin, high-visibility appeal of its bespoke garment division, which serves to reinforce the brand’s prestige and influence over ready-to-wear trends.
Comparing Chanel’s Seasonal Approaches
The choice of a whimsical, nature-focused theme marks a distinct shift from the more minimalist or retro-focused runway shows of recent years.
| Feature | Fall/Winter 2024-2025 | Recent Prior Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Set Design | Giant beanstalk/Forest | Architectural/Minimalist |
| Theme | Fairytale/Folklore | Modernist/Classic Chanel |
| Creative Lead | Fashion Creation Studio | Virginie Viard |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed the Chanel Fall/Winter 2024-2025 Haute Couture collection?
The collection was designed by the Chanel Fashion Creation Studio following the exit of former creative director Virginie Viard.
Where was the show held?
The event took place at the Grand Palais in Paris, a historic venue that has hosted Chanel’s runway shows for many years.
What was the inspiration behind the show?
The collection drew heavily from fairytales and woodland folklore, evidenced by the central beanstalk set and the use of botanical-inspired embroidery.
The focus now turns to the future of the house as it prepares for its next chapter of creative leadership. With the brand maintaining its commitment to couture excellence, the industry expects the upcoming ready-to-wear collections to clarify the long-term aesthetic direction of the label.