Chanel Cruise Collection in Venice

Ben Goldstein/Studio D

MC Fashion Director Nina Garcia opens her scrapbook to give you an inside look at the fashion journey of a lifetime.

Ben Goldstein/Studio D

Postcards from Venice

Every piece tells a story. Here are some of the highlights.

Jason Lloyd Evans

Postcards from Venice

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.

Jason Lloyd Evans

Postcards from Venice

Karl during the model fitting.

Jason Lloyd Evans

Postcards from Venice

Guests arrive by boat.

Jason Lloyd Evans

Postcards from Venice

Beach chairs along the boardwalk.

Jason Lloyd Evans

Postcards from Venice

"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."

Jason Lloyd Evans

Postcards from Venice

"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."

Jason Lloyd Evans

Postcards from Venice

"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."

T. Vaccaro/Hulton Archive/Getty Imges

Postcards from Venice

"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."

Jason Lloyd Evans

Postcards from Venice

"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."