Postcards From Chanel's Venice Fashion Show

Sneak Peek The day prior to the actual show, I met with Karl during the models' fitting. It was incredible to see him and his team at work. From thousands of beautiful bags, shoes, brooches, and necklaces (some of which I got to try on), Karl zeroed in on the perfect pieces for each ensemble.

Karl during the model fitting.

Guests arrive by boat.

Beach chairs along the boardwalk.

"A male model, draped in black and wearing a tricornered hat, opens the show. His resemblance to the infamous Italian playboy Giacomo Casanova sets the tone for high drama and romance."

"Light and airy cruise dresses capture Luchino Visconti's 1971 film adaptation of Death in Venice, Thomas Mann's novella set on the Lido. Model Tatjana Patitz [seen with Lagerfeld] evokes the mother of young Tadzio—the protagonist's object of obsession."

"Coco Chanel's friendship with Sergei Diaghilev, the founder of Paris' Ballet Russes, began in Venice. Her costumes for the company's stars like Vaslav Nijinsky are revisited in the collection."

"Winged glasses pay homage to Peggy Guggenheim, the doyenne of one of Italy's most important collections of modern art—housed in the Palazzo where she once lived."

"Bobbed wigs and ornate jewels mimic the distinctive style of Marchesa Luisa Casati, the incomparable Italian socialite during the first half of the 20th century."

Gorgeous black and white ensembles.

The grand finale at sunset.

"Black-and-white stripes, the signature uniform of Venice's charming gondolieri, get a brand-new bag."

Click here to see beauty looks from this show