Just as anticipation surrounded the unveiling of a new Chanel collectsion when the late Karl Lagerfeld was at the helm, the big reveal of the show set was always a guaranteed moment at Paris Fashion Week—a tradition his successor Virginie Viard is continuing. Over the years, Chanel models have walked runways that riffed on cafés and casinos, icebergs, supermarkets, space rockets—and even enormous bottles of Chanel No. 5.
Below, revisit some of the most memorable Chanel show sets from seasons past.
Photo: Getty Images1/39Chanel spring 2023 couture
On Virginie Viard’s spring 2023 couture runway, models emerged from giant cardboard versions of the bestiary Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel kept in her apartment (objects portraying horses, lions, camels, birds, and so on), the work of her collaborator Xavier Veilhan.
Photo: Getty Images2/39Chanel fall 2022
In honor of Coco Chanel’s favorite fabric, Virginie Viard created a collectsion dedicated to tweed for fall 2022. So, of course, the walls and benches were adorned with the brand’s signature fabric, as well.
Photo: Getty Images3/39Chanel spring 2022
To evoke the Chanel shows of the ’80s, Virginie Viard opted for a raised runway for the spring 2022 collectsion, with flashbulbs popping as photographers clustered around the edge.
Photo: Getty Images4/39Chanel spring 2021
A Chanel version of the famous Hollywood sign towered over the models at the cinematic spring 2021 show.
Photo: Getty Images5/39Chanel fall 2020
Models make their way along the River Seine-themed set at the fall 2020 show.
More from Replica Hermes Bag Reviews
.jpg)
.jpg)
Photo: Getty Images6/39Chanel spring 2020
Models including Kaia Gerber strode along a runway that conjured the famous rooftops of Paris.
Photo: Getty Images7/39Chanel Métiers d’Art 2019
This show set was inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s 31 Rue Cambon apartment.
- Photo: Getty Images8/39
Chanel fall 2019 couture
For Chanel’s 2019 haute couture collectsion, the Grand Palais was transformed into a library, with books adorning the walls from floor to ceiling.
Photo: Getty Images9/39Chanel spring 2019
Chanel literally made waves in Paris with a wonderful homage to Riviera chic.
- Photo: Getty Images10/39
Chanel fall 2018
At Chanel’s fall 2018 show, models walked the leaf-strewn runway dotted with trees inside the Grand Palais.
Photo: Getty Images11/39Chanel spring 2018 couture
For the French house’s 2018 haute couture collectsion, the Grand Palais was transformed into an intimate fairytale garden party with flowers trellises and a fountain centerpiece.
- Photo: Getty Images12/39
Chanel spring 2018
Models walked across footbridges surrounded by waterfalls in the spring 2018 collectsion.
- Photo: Getty Images13/39
Chanel fall 2017
For fall 2017, Karl Lagerfeld took off to space. The heart of the Grand Palais housed a giant rocket ship.
More from Replica Hermes Bag Reviews 
Photo: Getty Images14/39Chanel Métiers d’Art 2017
Karl Lagerfeld paid homage to the city of his birth, Hamburg, with a spectacular show staged inside the city’s new opera house Elbphilharmonie. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the vast concert hall has been built on top of Hamburg’s biggest dockside warehouse.
- Photo: Getty Images15/39
Chanel spring 2017
Models meandered around the inner workings of a giant computer for spring 2017.
- Photo: Getty Images16/39
Chanel fall 2016 couture
Chanel’s fall 2016 couture show was a celebration of the heroes hiding in the shadows of high fashion ateliers, the “petites mains.” Lagerfeld put them center stage in the Grand Palais, transporting his four ateliers—two specializing in tailoring, two in “flou”—to the heart of the capital.
Photo: Getty Images17/39Chanel spring 2016 couture
The Chanel haute couture spring 2016 set saw the models walk around a paved garden as if at an extravagant garden party.
- Photo: Getty Images18/39
Chanel spring 2016
Models checked in at Chanel Airlines.
Photo: Getty Images19/39Chanel Métiers d’Art 2015
The Cinecittà film studios in Rome played host to the show which saw a Parisian square recreated.
- Photo: Getty Images20/39
Chanel fall 2015 couture
For haute couture fall 2015, Chanel delivered a casino-themed show.
- Photo: Getty Images21/39
Chanel fall 2015
A brasserie-themed set was as polished as expected for fall 2015.
More from Replica Hermes Bag Reviews - Photo: Getty Images22/39
Chanel spring 2015 couture
Guests were welcomed to a paper jungle.
Photo: Getty Images23/39Chanel Métiers d’Art 2015
Chanel’s Salzburg show took the form of a lavish banquet.
Photo: Getty Images24/39Chanel spring 2015
Models protested for women’s rights.
- Photo: Getty Images25/39
Chanel fall 2014
Chanel’s fall 2014 show was perhaps the chicest “big shop” of all time.
Photo: Getty Images26/39Chanel Métiers d’Art 2014
Chanel took a rodeo-themed trip to Dallas to show its western-inspired collectsion.
- Photo: Getty Images27/39
Chanel fall 2013 couture
A post-apocalyptic theater set.
- Photo: Getty Images28/39
Chanel spring 2013
The wind farm-themed set (and the hula hoop bag collectsion).
- Photo: Getty Images29/39
Chanel fall 2012
The underwater-themed collectsion was reflected in the clam shells and sea creatures that dotted the set.
More from Replica Hermes Bag Reviews
- Photo: Getty Images30/39
Chanel fall 2011 couture
An enormous lion loomed over models at the couture show.
- Photo: Getty Images31/39
Chanel spring 2010
British singer Lily Allen performed at the barn-themed show.
- Photo: Getty Images32/39
Chanel cruise 2010
Guests were taken to Venice for the perfect sunset beach setting.
- Photo: Getty Images33/39
Chanel fall 2009
The Chanel merry-go-round set.
Photo: Getty Images34/39Chanel spring 2008 couture
A giant tweed jacket formed the centerpiece of the set.
- Photo: Getty Images35/39
Chanel fall 2008
The power of the Chanel set extended to creating its very own micro-climate.
- Photo: Getty Images36/39
Chanel cruise 2007
The Monte Carlo-themed set.
- Photo: Getty Images37/39
Chanel spring 2006 couture
An imposing spiral staircase added interest to the spring 2006 show.
More from Replica Hermes Bag Reviews - Photo: Getty Images38/39
Chanel spring 2006
Way before Instagram, Karl was ready for his close-up.
- Photo: Getty Images39/39
Chanel fall 2005
Hitting the highway in style for fall 2005.
