Chanel Announces Details for the 2026 Cruise Show
The French luxury brand Chanel has revealed the details for its 2026 Cruise Show. The event is scheduled to take place on April 29, 2025, against the stunning backdrop of Italy’s Lake Como. While the exact venue remains undisclosed, Lake Como is renowned for its opulent villas and breathtaking natural beauty, making it a sought-after destination for luxury brand events.
Recently, Dior presented its high jewelry collection at Villa Erba on the shores of Lake Como, and Rhuigi Villaseñor showcased his brand Rhude’s menswear collection in the gardens of Villa d’Este.
For Chanel, the Cruise Collection is more than just a runway show; it serves as a key event for showcasing the brand’s global appeal. In the past, the brand has taken its collections to cities like New York, Venice, Singapore, and Dubai, highlighting its international influence.
The brand stated, “More than an invitation to travel, the Chanel cruise show is an encounter with the energy and singularity of a destination whose inspirational art de vivre makes the whole world dream.”
Criticism Surrounding the 2024/2025 Cruise Collection
However, this year’s 2024/2025 Cruise Collection, presented in the southern French city of Marseille, sparked debate over the brand’s creative direction. The collection, inspired by underwater dreams and reflections of sunlight, aimed to appeal to a younger, more diverse audience but received mixed reviews. While the collection’s theme and style were bold and innovative, many felt that the balance between Chanel’s iconic elegance and casual elements had been disrupted.
The online response was also divided, as the collection’s emphasis on diversity and youth-oriented design was seen as a departure from the brand’s traditional identity. Longtime Chanel fans criticized the shift in direction, while younger audiences were less enthusiastic than expected, contributing to the show’s overall mixed reception.
The venue for the collection also drew criticism. Held at the concrete-heavy “Unité d’Habitation” designed by architect Le Corbusier, the setting was seen by some as incongruent with the collection’s theme, adding to the negative feedback.
Viard’s Resignation and Speculation Over the Next Creative Director
These factors culminated in growing doubts about Virginie Viard’s leadership as creative director, ultimately leading to her resignation.
With Viard’s departure, Chanel will present the 2026 Cruise Show without a creative director, sparking widespread speculation about who will step into the role and lead the brand’s future creative vision. The fashion world is now watching closely to see who will inherit the prestigious position.