Chanel's Cruise 2025 Show at Lake Como Was Like a Real-Life Daydream

Chanel brought its Cruise 2025 collection to Lake Como on Tuesday afternoon, for a dreamy reveal of its resort-ready collection, one of the most highly anticipated each year.

The refined tribute to Italy took place at Villa d'Este, an iconic hotel and symbol of Italian elegance, chosen to set a line that intertwines tailoring, lightness, and other references to life on holiday. The connection between Chanel and Como is nothing new: Gabrielle Chanel was a friend of renowned director Luchino Visconti, a central figure in Italian cinema and a frequent visitor to the scenic region. This cultural and personal connection is reflected in the aesthetic of the collection, which blends cinematic references—starting with the short film created for it, directed by Sofia Coppola—with a coherent visual narrative.

Chanel's Cruise 2025 collection, designed by the in-house creative team (ahead of Matthieu Blazy's arrival), revolves around an idea of casual elegance, evoked in 69 looks spanning taffeta frocks in pastel shades (peach, pink, light blue), sheer dresses, light tweed suits decorated with sequins, striped lamé sets, and flowing evening jumpsuits. The color palette is inspired by the colors of the Villa d'Este and the gardens on the lake: ochre, warm yellows, natural greens and classic black. Typical elements of the cruise wardrobe are not missing: straight-cut white trousers, strawberry-colored overcoats, tops with navy stripes and nautical details. Accessories such as silk scarves, long diva gloves, black sunglasses, and pool bags completed the aesthetic with a vintage note played in a contemporary key. Plus, one accessory stole the show: a mini cupcake handbag.

The Chanel Cruise 2025 show hosted a healthy group of special front row guests and celebrities loyal to the French maison including Beatrice Grannó, Martina Scrinzic Joan Thiele, Keira Knightley, Caroline De Maigret, Gaia Girace, Carlotta Gamba, Romana and Maggiora Vergano. This collection offers only a sneak peak at what's to come while the house prepares to enter a new and exciting era thanks to Blazy's forthcoming dawn at the helm and debut collection for Chanel this October.

Watch the runway show below.