Easy Breezy: Chanel Cruise 2025 In Marseille

Marseille, the French port city west of the Mediterranean Sea, was Chanel’s destination of choice for its cruise 2025 collection. The soothing sea breeze brings a sense of calm to the air, yet the grit and character of the graffiti-filled city keeps you on your toes and makes one feel alive. Marseille, however unexpected, somehow feels right for this modern era Chanel finds itself in.

While both runway show sessions were originally meant to be held on the rooftop of the renowned La Cité Radieuse, gloomy weather conditions took the second show inside the hallways of the “vertical village” designed by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier—giving us the chance to see the clothes presented against both backdrops. The Brutalist-style building’s chalky pastels and primary-coloured panels were instantly recognisable on the tweed looks that came down the runway, but all eyes were on the illustrative details and pearlised add-ons presented against the hallways lined with galleries, residences and cafes.

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Vibrant tweed sets were worn over casual hoodies, while oversize open-knit cardigans with lightly folded cuffs felt like a sensible pairing over bodysuits and mini skirts for seaside jaunts. And of course, there was the scuba suit that Viard playfully added a classic black bow to—charming!

Bike and bermuda shorts have proven to be two of Viard’s runway go-tos, appearing in collections across her tenure at the house. This time around, they were joined by cheeky bloomers paired with a matching boxy top. The notion of freedom and mobility—which were paramount for Gabrielle Chanel—echoed throughout, as models strutted down effortlessly in sensible steppers such as patent slip-ons and platform slippers, worn together with fuss-free backpacks and slouchy shoulder bags.

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Sitting in close proximity to the models allowed our eyes to zoom in on the whimsical illustrations of sea creatures that covered the billowy ruffled frocks that moved like the waves with every step. Crystal-embellished sundresses and broderie anglaise separates evoked a free-spirited vibe with a tinge of nolstalgia, which very much reflected Viard’s seaside town inspiration. Dreamy and evocative, one could almost imagine the smell of the sea wafting through the building.

Now onto the accessories, which were major. Strings of pearls were piled atop each other nonchalantly, chain belts (all the rage this season) were adorned with nautical-esque charms and the number 13 (Gabrielle Chanel’s lucky number), as well as chunky earrings and cuffs. And while the interlocking-C bag (was it a bag, though?) got people talking, the adorable rounded boater hats reminiscent of Parisian school girl Madeline evoked a sense of innocence that added an unexpected touch to the collection.

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“The sun, architecture, music and dance: Marseille also has a very strong sense of freedom”, Viard mentioned in her show notes. While the sense of freedom came through the fuss-free separates and easy silhouettes, it was the courage to experiment and interact with an edgy and creative city like Marseille that captured the youthful spirit that speaks to the modern Chanel woman—without forgetting its roots of sophistication.