At Chanel, Matthieu Blazy turns couture into a dark fairy tale

At Chanel's Fall/Winter 2026 haute couture show in Paris, designer Matthieu Blazy conjured a darkly enchanting atmosphere within the Grand Palais, transforming the space into a "garden gone wrong" with towering beanstalks and oversized, slightly unsettling flowers. The collection itself drew inspiration from fairy tales and the life of Gabrielle Chanel, aiming to infuse the house with a sense of lightness and strangeness.

Blazy's creative spark ignited from a small book of fairy tales discovered in Gabrielle Chanel's former apartment. He envisioned Coco Chanel's journey from an orphanage to fashion icon as a modern-day Jack and the Beanstalk narrative. This theme resonated throughout the collection, with clothes subtly telling stories through motifs like bean shoots embroidered on a sheer suit, vines creeping up dresses, and butterflies and blossoms appearing unexpectedly.

“

I started to wonder, was Gabrielle Chanel’s life a fairy tale?

The collection playfully referenced classic fairy tales such as "Goldilocks," "Puss in Boots," and "The Ugly Duckling" without explicit declaration. Evening bags were whimsically shaped like sleeping bears and chickens, while heels mimicked butterflies and golden eggs. Hidden details, like painted linings and mock to-do lists stitched into jackets, added a layer of couture's intricate craft to everyday realities.

Blazy deliberately incorporated frayed edges, a nod to Gabrielle Chanel's own habit of pinning and altering garments. He emphasized that haute couture at Chanel is not merely a fantasy but is fundamentally for women, reflecting their realities and everyday adventures. This philosophy guided the creation of sharply cut coats, sequined shifts, and pared-down evening wear, ensuring that even the most fantastical designs remained grounded in wearability.

“

Haute Couture at Chanel is not just a fairy tale; in essence it is for women, their realities and their adventures of the everyday.