At Chanel’s Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2026 show in Paris, creative director Matthieu Blazy looked to fairy tales as a fresh way to reinterpret the house’s craftsmanship. Rather than creating fantasy for fantasy’s sake, his second haute couture collection focused on storytelling through design.
Blazy drew inspiration from Les Fées, Contes des Contes, a book he discovered in Gabrielle Chanel’s personal library. That idea became the foundation of a collection that translated familiar fairy tales into couture techniques and carefully considered details.
The opening look set the tone with Chanel’s signature tweed suit reimagined in guipure lace to resemble the magic beans from Jack and the Beanstalk.
Throughout the collection, embroidered vines appeared across dresses and climbed shoe heels, while accessories included a minaudière shaped like a sleeping bear. Elsewhere, a row of buttons transformed from ducklings into swans, referencing another classic fairy tale.
Rather than relying on theatrical styling alone, Blazy incorporated subtle details that reflected everyday life. Hidden inside garments were handwritten notes, initials and personal reminders, while pockets and chains held small charms inspired by magpies. These details reinforced the idea that couture can feel personal without losing its craftsmanship.
The collection also introduced a more relaxed approach to silhouette. Several garments featured slashed seams and divided constructions to allow greater freedom of movement, while Chanel’s signature tailoring returned in updated forms, including sleeveless jackets, shorter hemlines and jackets fastened at the back.
The presentation took place inside the Grand Palais, where the runway was transformed with oversized vines and botanical elements that echoed the collection’s theme without distracting from the clothes.
Blazy’s latest outing continues to establish his direction for Chanel following his appointment in late 2024. Rather than revisiting the house’s archives directly, he focused on reinterpreting familiar Chanel codes through new materials, construction techniques and storytelling.
