Welcome to Marie Claire's live coverage of the Chanel show! Celebrities from Margot Robbie to Tilda Swinton are arriving early in their Chanel best. But before getting into the front-row looks, our team wanted to share their predictions for what's sure to be a stunning debut. —Halie LeSavage, senior fashion news editor
The 'Marie Claire' Team's Chanel Predictions
"As a longtime Matthieu-head, I'm so excited to see his take on Chanel. The brand has really been building up anticipation, giving us the tiniest glimpses of his vision through select custom red-carpet moments—like the two looks he created for newly-minted Chanel ambassador Ayo Edebiri for the 2025 Venice Film Festival. What I loved about them was how they referenced some of the silhouettes and materials we associated with the fashion house—the suiting separates, the tweed, the statement buttons—but weren't a copy/paste from the archive. Listen, a vintage Chanel moment on the carpet always hits, but it was cool to get a taste of what from past collections resonates with Blazy and how he sees them in a contemporary context.
Same goes for Edebiri's LBD for the NYFF. Chanel is often credited as the brand to popularize the style, so it's a fitting tribute to the brand's origins. The floor-length slip, with a halter neckline and sheer overlay on the chest, felt so modern. (Also, her glam was just so perfect.)" —Ana Colón, interim style director
"Matthieu Blazy is the doyen of leather work. (Everybody moved on from the leather tank and trompe l'oeil blue jeans from his Bottega Veneta Fall 2022 debut but I stayed there!) I'm looking forward to seeing what he does with the material now with such a massive archive of Chanel codes to riff off of. What will Blazy's take on quilted leather flap bags look like (based off his Bottega handbags, I'm betting it'll be exquisite, craft-centric, and lucrative)? Will we get optical illusion camellias and pearls made of white leather? Flecked leather tweed? Matthieu, my favorite maestro of textile manipulation, show us what you've got!" —Emma Childs, fashion features editor
"It’s no surprise to learn that Bruno Pavlovsky, the president of fashion at Chanel, said Matthieu Blazy spent considerable time exploring Chanel’s archives in preparation for his debut runway show. I’m almost positive that Blazy will pay homage to the French luxury house through its signature color palette. I expect to see classic shades of black and white—plus, pretty pastels and pops of red—plastered across tweed sets, mini dresses, and flap bags." —Lauren Tappan, fashion editor
"The season of creative director debuts is coming to an end, but not before Matthieu Blazy's Chanel Spring 2026 line takes center stage. Did Paris Fashion Week save the best for last? My gut (and group chats with co-workers) tell me, perhaps. As Marie Claire's resident celebrity style-watcher, I predict the VIP guests will spotlight Blazy's proudest creations, perhaps reimagined Flap Bags, ballet flats, or little black dresses aplenty. (2026 does mark 100 years of Chanel's LBD, which debuted in 1926.) All in all? It'll undeniably be a show to remember, just like Jonathan Anderson's womenswear debut last week." —Meguire Hennes, staff writer
Margot Robbie Arrives in Chanel Leather
"Luckily for me, being the face of Chanel's No.5 fragrance secured Margot Robbie a spot at the Spring 2026 show. She arrived at the Grand Palais Ephemere almost an hour before creative director Matthieu Blazy's Chanel debut during Paris Fashion Week. Her black, quilted bomber jacket, and matching trousers appeared seemingly simple, however, the Barbie actor was impossible to miss. Minimal angles—though cinematic—haven't revealed her entire look. But trust: When close-ups do drop, I'll ID everything, from her (presumed) double-C earrings to her Chanel by Blazy pumps." —Meguire Hennes
Tilda Swinton Arrives at Chanel
"I predicted that Chanel's runway show would feature classic shades of black and white, but I should've also known that guests would dress in the same color palette! Tilda Swinton arrived at the French luxury house's Spring 2026 show in a neutral turtleneck-and-skirt combo. As a brand ambassador for the brand, the actress came dressed to impress. She styled her sophisticated look with a shimmering gold chain necklace, a quilted clutch, and a pair of kitten heels to match. Let's see how many other attendees follow suit!" —Lauren Tappan
Pedro Pascal Arrives at Chanel
"One of the most exciting parts of a new creative director making their debut at a big fashion brand is seeing which celebrities show up—because they want to support them, because the designer has a relationship with them (or is simply a fan), because they're being named an ambassador. Tons of celebrities are attached to Chanel, so it's not so surprising to see Tilda Swinton and Margot Robbie there—but what an absolute DELIGHT to spot Pedro Pascal (!) among the arrivals. He hasn't attended many shows historically, nor has he worn the brand (which usually sticks to womenswear), so this is an exciting moment. And, also, we're always excited to see Pedro Pascal anywhere." —Ana Colón
Penelope Cruz Arrives at Chanel
"Another Chanel ambassador has clocked in for duty: Penelope Cruz arrived at the Parisian exhibit hall to support the new Chanel creative in chief's debut. A full-body shot of the Spanish actress's look remains to be seen, but as of now, we have a great close-up glimpse of a quilted black leather bomber jacket (similar but different to fellow attendee and brand ambassador, Margot Robbie's) and one of the most gorgeous blow-outs I've ever seen that I will try (and fail) to recreate with my knock-off Dyson Airwrap." —Emma Childs
Hints of the New Chanel Look
"Details on the new Chanel have been slim-to-none ahead of the show. But Blazy did drop some hints with evocative press images on the designer's website. This still calls Gabrielle Chanel to mind, while others riff on classics like the plain white shirt. The vibe I'm getting is stripped-back and sleek." —Halie LeSavage
Inside the Chanel Front Row
"Marie Claire editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike is reporting from inside the Chanel show. Her sightings so far? Kendall Jenner, Pedro Pascal, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. These names are bringing together longtime-Chanel ambassadors with fresh faces—and a reinvigorated energy at the house." —Halie LeSavage
The Chanel Fashion Show Atmosphere? Out of This World
"I'm living vicariously through Nikki as she sends Marie Claire live dispatches from the ground. The set—with its colorful planets scattered throughout the venue—reminds me so much of the Karl Lagerfeld era, where each fashion show had an elaborate themed production. (Fall 2013 had a globe that marked where Chanel boutiques were located across the world.)" —Ana Colón
Nicole Kidman Arrives at Chanel
"Did the Chanel team put together this FROW to pander to me, specifically? Because it sure is starting to feel that way. Nicole Kidman kicking off her single era at Matthieu Blazy's Chanel debut? She stays winning." —Ana Colón
Kendall Jenner Sits Front-Row at Chanel
"Kendall Jenner honored Chanel’s traditional design codes by wearing a perfectly tailored skirt suit coated in a timeless shade of black. The model put a contemporary twist on the look, though, opting for a midriff-baring blazer that boasted a sultry appeal. She completed her outfit with cap-toe flats (a symbolic nod to the French maison) and a rich-looking burgundy shoulder bag."—Lauren Tappan
Behold: The First New Chanel Look
"Our first glimpse at the New Chanel! Understated and chic—with a nod to the house's favorite floral motif. I love it." —Halie LeSavage
Workwear, the New Chanel Way
"I love how the opening looks all riff on workwear—but not in a stuffy, prescriptive way. Yes, it's trousers and pencil skirts, but the loose cropped jackets, the sleeves rolled up... The styling makes it feel so quotidian." —Ana Colón
A Moment for Gracie Abrams's Chanel Look
"I'd give up everything to be close to Matthieu Blazy's Chanel debut! For singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams, that means attending the show in a classic uniform that minimalist everywhere will want to replicate this season: simple black trousers, a white polo sweater, and a black cardigan thrown effortlessly over her shoulders. For me, that means live-stalking the celebrity arrivals on Getty Images and squinting at my laptop screen." —Emma Childs, fashion features editor
Early Front-Runners for Our Favorite Chanel Looks
"I love this color combo!" —Lauren Tappan
"This menswear-inspired oversized white tuxedo shirt, with the subtlest red embroidered 'Chanel' almost hidden in halfway down... I screamed. Paired with evening skirts, they feel so special." —Ana Colón
A Chanel Detail We Didn't Expect to Adore? The Soundtrack
"Such a simple but effective way to make the collection feel more youthful. Bump up the BPM and you've already caught Gen Z's eye." —Emma Childs
New Takes on Chanel Tweed
"I'm sorry to my dogs, who must've been alarmed by the sound that came out of me when I saw this, my platonic ideal of a look. I love the ease of the robe-like coat, plus this softer take on Chanel's iconic tweed. Plus the feathered hem!" —Ana Colón
A Chanel Signature Back on the Runway
"The classic Chanel cap-toe lives on! Pleasantly surprised to not see a double CC on the front toe (granted, I'll need to zoom in later to make sure), but I'm all for Blazy's anti-logo'd design. It's more IYKYK, ya know?" —Emma Childs
Plus, a Clever Reference from Matthieu Blazy
"I may be reading too much into this, but this feels like a fun self-reference! Matthieu's first collection at Bottega Veneta had these absolutely excellent leather riffs on plaid shirts; now, he's doing them with tweed at Chanel." —Ana Colón
A Fit for the Chanel Front Row
"Which Chanel ambassador is calling dibs on this look? I really need this to have a red carpet moment." —Ana Colón
The Chanel Brooch of the Season
"A top contender for soon-to-be-duped: The firework-esque floral brooches peppered throughout the collection!" —Emma Childs
Another Editor-Favorite: Chanel Plaids
"I love how Blazy gave plaid a refreshing twist with fringed hemlines! This detail adds such a playful feel—and a fun sense of movement." —Lauren Tappan
"Waiiiiiit, I love this sexy riff on plaid tweed!" —Ana Colón
"Was justttt about to say. Plaid is sexy!!" —Emma Childs
Styling That's Beyond Words
"AAAAH! That's my official comment. There's just something about a tee with a ballgown skirt that gets me every. single. time. To quote Lisa Barlow: I'm shaking. I'm physically shaking." —Ana Colón
"While this look feels very Chanel, it's also aligned with a trend I've spotted across the Spring 2026 runways. Plaid tees and big skirts have also cropped up on the Balenciaga and Valentino runways, to name a few." —Halie LeSavage
All About the New Chanel Bags
"Bags are a cornerstone of the Chanel brand and one of the areas I was most excited to see Blazy reinterpret. Honestly, I think he nailed it. Calling up my financial advisor now..." —Halie LeSavage
"Now that's a funky flap bag. Really into the basic black and white colorway." —Emma Childs
"This floral bag feels like such a smart way to capture the attention of the bag charm, Labubu lovers." —Lauren Tappan
Chanel's Riffs on the Archive
"Not gonna lie—half of those looks were surprising to me! Like the floral bags and feathered accessories." —Lauren Tappan
"Same! It goes in line with what we predicted: riffs on the archive, not reissues. I really enjoy this reinterpretation of codes. Chanel is a brand that has such a specific visual language, one that was set so many decades ago—interesting to see it through the lens of now." —Ana Colón
Details We Can't Wait to See Up-Close
"Let's talk about the skinny belts on drop waists! Modern meets old school—Blazy meets Coco in the 1920s." —Emma Childs
"Also, can we talk about the color palette? We knew to expect black and white, but there's so much juicy orange and red, with splashes of blue. I find it such an unusual color story (complementary)." —Ana Colón
Matthieu Blazy Takes His First Chanel Bow
"The room was electric and a standing ovation at the end." —Nikki Ogunnaike, editor-in-chief
"My heart grew three sizes seeing Blazy take his final bow. What a debut!" —Halie LeSavage
'Marie Claire' Editors' Final Thoughts
"1. I want to sit with this a little longer, but first impression is that this is a really strong start—one that communicates a new direction for a brand that's so associated with a specific look.
2.Blazy is so well-suited for this job, which comes with access to 19 incredible ateliers that each specialize in a different craft. He showed us his devotion to the make of fashion at Bottega, now I want him to really unleash his creativity on a different level.
3. I need to make some serious lifestyle changes for Q1/Q2." —Ana Colón
"That was delicious! Distinctly Blazy with so many craft-forward details and thoughtful layers, yet his appreciation for Chanel's history is evident—camellia motifs, black and white combinations, cap-toe shoes galore! He went into the archives (yes, that's shade against a certain other creative director who debuted at a heritage house this season and went rogue), which will keep brand loyalists satisfied, while also ushering the brand into a more youthful-feeling, sexy, and streamlined era."—Emma Childs
"Wow! My eyes were glued to every single look on Chanel’s Spring 2026 runway—from the tweed jackets rooted in minimalism to the feathered skirts that practically screamed 'loud luxury.' I must admit that my favorite looks struck a balance between the two extremes. Take, for example, this plaid set. Yes, it’s covered in a classic checkered pattern, but the fringed hemlines add a whimsical twist that makes this look feel out of the ordinary. Très bien, Matthieu Blazy!” —Lauren Tappan
"What can I say that my colleagues haven't? I already had high expectations, but this collection exceeded them. There was such an artful blend of new and archival—and so much I'd love to copy and paste into my own wardrobe. I'm even more excited to see how these looks trickle into street style now." —Halie LeSavage
Last-Minute Chanel Arrivals
"A few celebrities' official headshots didn't make it to our desks until after the Chanel show began. (Blame the cross-continental servers we have to use for these major fashion shows.) But, late is much better than ever for appreciating celebs like Ayo Edebiri, Lily-Rose Depp, and Jennie in their Chanel finest." —Halie LeSavage
Ayo Edebiri attending the Chanel show.
Jennie Kim arriving at the Chanel show.
