Karl Lagerfeld Paints an Opulent Vision of India for Chanel

By Amina Elahi on December 7th, 2011 1 Comment

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Against a white background at Paris’ Grand Palais, models paraded past tables piled high with fruit, macarons, candelabras and other luxurious knickknacks. Bedecked with heavy silks and traditional South Asian teekas, the women carried forth Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld’s vision for a display entitled “Paris-Bombay Métiers d’Art Show” on Tuesday.

In this show, intended to honor the Chanel’s craftsmen, Lagerfeld took inspiration from the India’s people, telling the Wall Street Journal that “even the poor have dignity…even poor women own three gold bracelets.” And there certainly was no lack of gold in the clothes nor the jewelry.

The decision to use Mumbai’s old moniker, Bombay, in the show’s name seemed not only deliberate but appropriate. The Indian influence was strictly traditional, ranging from churidar-style leggings to the forehead-grazing teekas mentioned above. The shapes hearken back to classic Indian fashion, certainly, and the jewelry pairings make for truly stunning ensembles.

Browse some of the best looks from the show here:


For some live action footage, watch this video of the show posted on Twitter by Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Editor in Chief Louise Nichol.

Photos by Olivier Saillant, courtesy of Chanel News.

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Amina Elahi is Divanee.com’s Managing Editor. Check out her blog, where she posts words and images that make her think.

  • http://www.giaghani.wordpress.com Gia Ghani

    so rich and glamorous!