10 March 2026 |
Is there anyone hotter than Matthieu Blazy right now?
Chanel fever is currently sweeping Paris at the moment. More specifically: Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel which just hit stores. But good luck getting your hands on anything with reports of shoes, bags, and ready-to-wear all flying off the shelves at their Rue Cambon location. A quick look at the stylish attendees at the fall 2026 show confirms this as at least six people were spotted in the blazer that opened up the spring 2026 runway. As for the new season? Well, the designer managed to capture that same fervor and magnify it tenfold. Hold on, the Blazy mania is just beginning.
Like last season, the collection was imagined as a conversation. More importantly Blazy starts off with a quote by Gabrielle Chanel that she gave to Le Figaro back in the 1950s. She describes fashion as both a caterpillar and butterfly. It’s a reference to how women embrace the power of metamorphosis — casual and comfortable by day as a caterpillar going about their business, vibrant and eye-catching by night as a butterfly flitting off into the night. To Blazy that gets interpreted as the freedom for women to be both, at their own whims, a theme that seems to be resonating throughout fashion month as designers believe less in dictating what one wears versus embracing its multitudes and potential.
Held at the Grand Palais, gone were the planets and galaxies that decorated the space last season. Instead, the scenery was replaced with primary hued construction cranes. If spring 2026 was meant to reach for the moon and stars, this time around it’s a sense of let’s get to work and lay down the structures to ensure these lofty dreams become a reality. Of course, there was plenty of imagination too, as seen in the sparkly, holographic floor.
Opening with a sleek black skirt suit, it was a reminder that throughout the years this the brand’s foundational silhouette. Under Blazy and his love of textiles, you’ll see iterations that incorporate everything from gleaning lurex to modern silicone to classic tweeds to gleaming metallics — options for both the woman whether in caterpillar or butterfly mode. Jackets ranged from slouchy bombers to workwear inspired cuts to boxy takes on the classic Chanel blazer. There was plenty for his customers to fall in love with. As for the skirts, some were aggressively drop-waisted, an interesting silhouette that feels fresh, while others skewed more traditional, skimming the knees and calves, occasionally tempered with a bit of a slit at the thigh.
Time is an ephemeral construct in Blazy’s world and he cites influences that span the twenties to the thirties as well as the fifties and sixties, as well as today. Besides being reflected in the suiting and tailoring, you can see this effect on the dresses. Embellished flapper-like dresses got the couture effect, using reflective fabrics, colorful lace, and a smattering of feathers. But Blazy never strayed too far from Chanel’s roots, fittingly ending with an LBD that seemed serious from the front but revealed a playful pouf on the back.
As for the accessories, which have proven to be a huge hit for spring 2026, expect next season to be equally as popular. Cap toed heels in contrasting colors give way to cap toed boots and mules, in equally as vivid hues. Handbag fans will have a hard time deciding between the options including a quilted number with an interlocking C-clasp that rotates that’s sure to be popular as well as a playful take on the iconic quilted flap design that combines both enclosures. The flap bag, one of the most popular designs of the season, will be back for fall, imagined in rich colors and textures like red and green croc. And for those looking for something with a sense of humor, there’s a pomegranate clutch that’s sure to be popular on social media.
Speaking of social media, Monday night’s show offered two moments. The first was the holographic hair, a dazzling effect that was hinted at by the sparkling floor of the venue. It’ll be interesting to see who dares to recreate that style. The second came courtesy of a musical break as Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” played, much to the delight of the front row which included Jennie, Margot Robbie, Teyana Taylor, and more. As Blazy came out to yet another roar of approval, it’s safe to say he’s laid down quite the foundation for his future at Chanel.
Photography by Christina Fragkou.
