Show report: Chanel A/W’11

It was the big event of the penultimate day and celebrity fans from Florence Welch to Lily Allen, Alexa Chung, Emma Roberts and Clemence Poesy turned out to see what Karl Lagerfeld would come up with next

It was the big event of the penultimate day and everyone dressed for the occasion.

From ingénues in SS11 florals to gracefully-groomed women in vintage, editors in their finest and celebrity fans from Florence Welch to Lily Allen, Alexa Chung, Emma Roberts and Clemence Poesy, everyone who was anyone turned out to see what Chanel would come up with next.

The pony-tailed maestro himself was ever-present as guests were given Karl Lagerfeld finger puppets on their way into the Grand Palais.

If last season’s ready to wear show was all about light and flowers, the mood was distinctly darker for autumn winter. The Grand Palais was transformed into an abandoned railway track, complete with coal underfoot (tough on the heels) and low-level fog (okay, dry ice) to create a fin-de-siecle feel.

A Chanel-branded drawbridge lowered to reveal models in cropped, raw-edged black and grey tweed jackets, skinny jeans and flat brogues.

We saw shimmer-weave charcoal capes, big 80s coats, belted woolen dresses and flock-patterned jumpsuits. Tuxedo trousers were rolled up to reveal kitten heels and the famous Chanel quilting was reincarnated into a boiler suit, worn with tough-looking biker boots.

There was the odd touch of couture Chanel with a perfectly tailored cream skirt but worn over skinny black jeans – proving that the ‘skirts over trousers’ look is here to stay for AW.

A striking show that was quite unlike anything else we've seen for AW11. Lagerfeld emerged at the end to take his applause and bow to gathered guests. The king of style has done it again.

Chanel must-haves for A/W’11: - Tux trousers (preferably with turn-ups) - Brogues - Black raw-edged tweed jacket - A fabulous onesie - Dry ice CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL AUTUMN/WINTER 2011 CHANEL CATWALK COLLECTION

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