Style Edit: Chanel’s cruise 2023-24 brought Barbiecore to China with Wang Yibo, Liu Wen, Zhou Xun and Marion Cotillard admiring Virginie Viard’s collection unveiled in Shenzhen

Nov 20 , 2023

The Chanel cruise 2023-24 collection brought Hollywood and Barbiecore to Shenzhen in China, with A-listers from around the world there to view Virginie Viard’s latest styles. Photos: Handout

Roller skaters, graffiti artist André and a film by Inez & Vinoodh evoked Hollywood, while on the runway, retro leg warmers, wedge sneakers and skateboards complemented statement jewellery

Celebs like Whitney Peak, Wing Shya and Natalie Hsu were there, along with Chanel figures including president of fashion, Bruno Pavlovsky

In Shenzhen, a city renowned for its innovative spirit, the Chanel cruise 2023-24 show served onlookers a captivating cocktail of cutting-edge fashion and playful glamour that felt right at home in southern China’s ultra-modern urban heartland.

Shenzhen became LA for the night for the Chanel runway show

After its debut last May, Virginie Viard’s resort collection graced the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre on November 6, drawing fashion aficionados and celebrities from across the region. Notable figures included cinematic icons Stephen Fung and Wing Shya, who sat alongside next-generation talents like Wang Yibo and Natalie Hsu, as well as global ambassadors Marion Cotillard and Whitney Peak. Together, they experienced a collection inspired by the dynamic and constantly evolving spirit of a city from the other side of the Pacific: Los Angeles.

For the occasion, the outdoor venue was transformed into a sports arena, complete with bleachers and a working scoreboard suspended over the runway. The set-up was a playful nod to the ready-to-wear collection’s casual yet sophisticated pieces, encompassing everything from vintage Hollywood elegance to embroidered swimsuits and diamante-encrusted pantsuits – along with the brand’s signature tweed sets, of course.

Retro leg warmers, wedge trainers and skateboards featured throughout, complemented by statement jewellery that referenced the still-rolling Barbiecore trend. Accessories like oversized bows, belly chains and jewelled chokers stood out, but the highlight was the long, multilayered necklaces – many embellished with pearls, diamantes and chunky, whimsical pendants – naturally featuring the fashion house’s iconic double Cs. Take note: the prominence of elongated, layered statement necklaces may signal their emergence as a key trend for spring/summer next year.

As with any Chanel show, the excitement extended beyond the catwalk. The brand created an immersive experience, co-produced with Nowness China, an arts and culture video platform, paying homage to the resort collection’s roots in contemporary film and Hollywood. Over three days at Shenzhen Bay MixC’s cinema, the event hosted short films and onstage discussions involving filmmakers, artists and prominent Chanel figures like president of fashion Bruno Pavlovsky and ambassadors Cotillard, Zhou Xun and supermodel Liu Wen. Together they explored the influence of cinema and the house’s deep connections with China.

During the runway show, a striking black and white film by fashion photography duo Inez & Vinoodh, made in partnership with Nowness China, was shown. It creatively blended views of Shenzhen’s futuristic skyline with Los Angeles’ iconic palm trees, and featured Chanel ambassadors.

Retro elements like roller skates featured in Chanel’s cruise show in Shenzhen