Up in the mountains, in a peaceful atmosphere, on a snowy day. That’s where Karl took us for his posthumous CHANEL Fall 2019 Ready-to-wear collection. Grand Palais transformed into an impressive winter retreat in which Karl Lagerfeld’s inspiration unfolded in a casual chic and charmingly somber way. A minute’s silence at the beginning of the show and a voiceover by Karl right after, taken from a recent CHANEL podcast, were enough to make the crowd certain that what was about to follow, was bound to stay forever in everyone’s memory.

Tweeds, relaxed suits, sweaters, oversized coats and puffers with a streetwear vibe to them, a plethora of patterns, structured pieces and lovely cocktail dresses gave the collection a divergent character, serving on the one hand as a very appropriate aesthetic representation of the glum moment -given that Karl is no longer among us- but, on the other hand, as an accurate depiction of what is relevant out there as we speak and what is meant to become such, in the months to come. Looks like Karl kept his sharp sense of fashion until the very last moment.

Although things are never going to be the same again for CHANEL now that Karl has died, Virginie Viard is expected to launch the House’s new era with a bang, very soon. Being Karl’s right hand for so many years could be anything but a coincidence.