CHANEL’S INTIMATE FINALE: HAUTE COUTURE JULY 2025 AT THE GRAND PALAIS

A Salon So Intimate You Can Smell the Fabric Glue

In an era when haute couture seems almost ashamed of itself, Chanel decided to retreat from the grandiosity and opt instead for a “private salon” vibe; an exquisite way to say, “We couldn’t afford the big hall, so we made ours cozier.”

The Salon d’Honneur of the freshly restored Grand Palais was transformed into a plush beige cocoon worthy of a Versailles daybed, complete with moquette, curtains, and those “look at me, I’m luxurious, but modest” accents. It’s oddly comforting like your grandma’s living room, if grandma were Karl Lagerfeld reincarnated.

The models emerged from an ornate entrance as if summoned by the ghost of Mademoiselle herself. They wore tight buns, tall boots that left U-shaped indentations in the plush carpet clearly, even the floor had to feel the couture’s weight.

Muted Tones, Feathered Whispers, and a Splash of “Oh, Why Not?”

The color palette was so neutral you’d think someone drank three lattes before choosing it; think ivory, beige, and soft browns. Yet Chanel sneakily threw in a silvery-blue gown, daring enough to pair with a feathery, yellow-toned bomber jacket. If that combination doesn’t scream “I’m chic but also making weird choices,” then what does?

Tweed dominated of the soft-toned, sparkly, feather-touched variety. It was like hipsters met haute couture and birthed neutral-toned tweed baby. Sparkles were there, not enough to blind but just enough to remind you that luxury still has a sense of modesty.

A Quiet End of an Era, Wrapped in Everyday Elegance

Let’s not kid ourselves this wasn’t a flamboyant last hurrah. It was a poised, maybe a little too polite, farewell by Chanel’s in-house studio before Matthieu Blazy takes over the creative helm. It’s as if the house is nodding politely to its past before rolling up its sleeves for the future. One can almost hear the whispered promise: “Don’t worry, change is coming… but thank you for the memories.”

Closing Thoughts

Chanel’s July 2025 haute couture show was like attending a very tasteful, slightly reserved soirée. The ambiance whispered rather than shouted. The looks were refined, gently luxurious, and just off-center enough to keep things interesting. It was couture without the opera-house theatrics, more tea-time elegance than champagne spectacle.

In short, Chanel gifted us a final sigh from the old guard before the new creative director takes the stage. And honestly, it felt like a perfectly polite goodbye—one that might just roll its eyes in the wings, waiting to surprise us with something completely unexpected next season.

Here’s hoping Blazy brings the drama back, because right now, I’m exhausted by all the muted tones and glad-to-be-polite restraint. Let’s see some couture with real attitude.