Under the giant lion before the start of Chanel

Everyone looks forward to the Chanel show, and why not? Karl Lagerfeld is a genius, and whether you end up liking the majority of the collection or not, his spectacular productions are always full of surprises.

This year, there was a huge gold lion in the middle of the stage (Gabrielle Chanel was a Leo), and the models walked around its legs. The audience was full of celebrities: Milla Jovovich, Jessica Alba, Leighton Meester and Anna Mouglalis (star of the recent movie, Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinksy) to name just a few. Natalia Vodianova looked smashing in a sequined jacket and short skirt.

Model Natalia Vodianova

Actress Milla Jovovich

The charming and radiant Daphne Guinness

Jessica Alba and friends record the moment!

Lou Doillon

Model Elisa Sednaoui and actress Anna Mouglalis

With Bryanboy

The show started off with signature tweeds, including some nice bolero jackets, slim dresses and skirts. All the models wore boots–there were no other shoes at all.

The show moved on to lots of sequins and glitter, which I thought was less successful.

The pièce de resistance was the bride coming out at the end with Baptiste, who was wearing a plush lion’s head mask. He must have been dying in the heat–it was super chaud in the Grand Palais.

At the end of a Chanel show, everyone wants to talk to Karl–he’s talented, he looks amazing and he’s so charming. I had to wait a while to congratulate him but, in the meantime, I had a chance to catch up with Sebastien and some of my other friends at Chanel.

That gorgeous face: greeting Baptiste Giabiconi

With Laetitia Crahay, Chanel’s accessories designer

Laetitia Crahay, Chanel’s accessories designer, looked amazing in a couture gown she’d cut short and jewelry she’d designed–dragon bracelets and a Chanel cuff from the Shanghai collection. She was carrying the “Chinese Take Away” bag guests were given at the Shanghai show. Laetitia is just so chic–I love her–and her take on accessories is very amusing!

A close-up of Laetitia’s “Give Away Bag” from Shanghai

Finally catching up with Karl

I must admit, it was a l-o-n-g day, so after Chanel I took my team to L’Avenue for a late dinner. Of course, I ended up sitting next to Stéphane Rolland, whose show I’d seen that morning!

Runway photographs via WWD. All other photographs by Marie Goujon and Arnaud Paumier