Naomi Campbell Embraces Chanel’s New Boyish Style at Paris Fashion Week
Naomi Campbell made a striking appearance on the front row at Chanel’s Paris Fashion Week show, showcasing the fashion house’s latest style direction. The British supermodel was seen donning a sharp, boyish tweed suit with her hair styled in a sleek Twenties bob. The 54-year-old icon exemplified Chanel’s new fashion objective, which aims to blend refined femininity with the lean and youthful legacy of former creative director Karl Lagerfeld.
Chanel’s spring/summer 2025 show, following creative director Virginie Viard’s departure in June, was designed by the studio as the fashion house has yet to name a replacement. Lagerfeld, who transformed Chanel in 1983 by introducing avant-garde elements like the trompe-l’œil effect to modernize the label’s iconic tweed, influenced the latest collection. This new line mirrors Lagerfeld’s playfulness with its opulent palette, denim jumpsuits, and innovative twists on traditional Chanel designs.
Following Lagerfeld’s passing in 2019, Virginie Viard took over as the label’s artistic director, honoring Chanel’s heritage while infusing her style characterized by lightness, prettiness, and girly charm. The recent collection seamlessly combines both Lagerfeld’s luxe and boyish aesthetic with Viard’s feminine flair, evident in the frilled denim and diamante jeans showcased on the runway.
Coco Chanel’s words, “Nothing is more beautiful than freedom of the body,” resonated throughout the show, which featured sheer gowns, cropped capes, and cinched jackets highlighting the models’ striking silhouettes. The event took place at the iconic Nave of the Grand Palais museum in Paris, paying tribute to Chanel with an installation featuring elements reminiscent of the brand’s classic image.
Modernizing classic Chanel motifs further, the show included contemporary takes such as platform sneakers inspired by the two-toned pump. The collection featured a mix of drop-waist suit dresses and feathered slip dresses, recalling Chanel’s flapper-girl era and bold yet feminine aesthetic. Accessories like chunky leather belts and silver bangles were juxtaposed with ethereal organza capes, creating a timeless and balanced look.
Among the notable attendees joining Campbell on the front row were model and singer Lennon Gallagher, Chanel’s new brand ambassador Lupita Nyong’o, actress Margaret Qualley, tennis star Maria Sharapova, and actor Nathalie Emmanuel. Each celebrity’s outfit reflected Chanel’s fusion of modern masculine accents with its inherently feminine heritage, showcasing the brand’s evolution towards a contemporary yet classic style.