Chanel Fall Transformation

The frenzy of fashion week has been mirrored this season by a similar frenzy within Chanel’s stores in Paris—the arrival of Matthieu Blazy’s Spring 2026 collection. At every show, from Chanel to elsewhere, whispers from editors and guests can be heard as attendees take their seats. The excitement for those who got pieces from Blazy’s debut collection, and the disappointment for those who left empty-handed.

Last night at Paris’ famed Grand Palais, that same excitement was palpable as guests settled in for Matthieu Blazy’s second ready-to-wear show, his fourth showing following Métiers d’Art in December, and couture earlier this winter.

As we’ve come to expect from Blazy, this collection is defined by its intricate details and elaborate embellishments throughout. Still, it is inherently Chanel, and that is the power of Blazy’s Chanel—its heritage codes are refreshed and reinvigorated, not completely changed.

Lightness, Transformation, and the Spirit of Metamorphosis

This season, Blazy was inspired by the process of metamorphosis— how change and transformation so deeply relate to Chanel’s history. Gabrielle Chanel herself took similar inspiration during Chanel’s earliest days, changing the concept of fashion completely and elevating it in a way that was fresh and not otherwise seen.

She was a trailblazer, often melding elements of menswear or workwear into Chanel designs, transforming them into luxury, and this season, Blazy continues that tradition. Blazy borrows from Chanel’s many eras throughout the collection. There are nods to the 1920s in the form of flapper-inspired sheaths with bold embellishments and chainmail separates.

A common theme throughout was the belted drop waist, seen on dresses and skirts alike. Skirts were paired with blazers or jackets, while dresses were finished with flowy, flouncy bottoms. Elsewhere, classic tweed separates in an array of colors were layered with silk blouses, while the classic work shirt is reimagined in bouclé tweed, a nod to Gabrielle Chanel’s penchant for drawing inspiration from menswear.

The common theme throughout is a fluidity and lightness that oozes the joy of transformation and the way change is integral to self-expression.

Classic Chanel Bags with a Whimsical Twist

Bags also offer a lightness, with whimsical touches added to classics like the Chanel Flap. Top-handle versions feature an ornate gold handle and intricate floral hardware, while the Classic 11.12 is available in an array of novelty iterations.

Elsewhere, classic quilting appears on an array of shoulder bags, some in suede, some in leather, and others with a chain-around finish. Other notable shapes include a Chanel dual-Flap bag, which gives new meaning to the Chanel Double Flap—finished with both a Classic CC clasp and a 2.55 clasp. The fan-favorite Maxi Flap returns to the runway this season in a stunning crocodile version, shown in red and green. More below!