Chanel Cruise 2025/2026 Unfolds Timeless Glamour on Lake Como

In a setting as cinematic as it is storied, Chanel unveiled its Cruise 2025/26 collection at the iconic Villa d’Este on the edge of Lake Como. Surrounded by lush gardens and framed by the distant Alpine peaks, the Renaissance palace—long a retreat for movie stars, aristocrats, and artists—served as both inspiration and stage. The historic site, which has welcomed the world’s elite since 1873, offered a dreamlike atmosphere where time seemed to stand still, echoing the timeless elegance that defines Chanel.

Elegance and Carefreeness

The spirit of the Cruise collection, rooted in Gabrielle Chanel’s 1920s vision of a sun-soaked wardrobe for cosmopolitan travelers, found its perfect expression in this location. For Cruise 2025/26, the design studio at Rue Cambon reimagined the elegant nonchalance that Coco herself once lived during her stays at Lake Como in the 1930s, as a guest of her friend Luchino Visconti. The Villa d’Este—then as now—embodied a lifestyle of indulgence and leisure, and Chanel’s collection channelled that same effortless refinement. Every look carried with it a whisper of nostalgia, yet felt undeniably fresh and modern.

The Art of Showcasing

The collection celebrated the glamour of dressing up and the joy of celebration. There were short, ruffled taffeta ball gowns in airy pastel shades, peach, rose, and a watery blue evocative of the lake itself. Even the classic tweed suits were reinterpreted in radiant hues that mirrored the villa’s sunlit palette: ochres, yellows, and soft oranges. Silhouettes evoked the lush romanticism of Luchino Visconti’s cinematic world, with flowing gowns. It was a collection alive with movement and charm, capturing both the elegance of old-world soirées and the playful ease of summer escapes.

A Timeless Allure

Designed for sunlit days on the lake, the wardrobe exuded a relaxed sophistication. Blue and white striped tailored pants nodded to nautical chic, while silk scarves were knotted in the hair or tied at the ankle, fluttering over strappy sandals. Accessories like oversized sunglasses and glossy patent mules completed the look, bringing together comfort, flair, and polish. It was a celebration of timeless allure and modern-day nonchalance, a spirit that resonated deeply with the star-studded audience. Among them were Hollywood stars like Margaret Qualley and Lupita Nyong’o, alongside longtime Chanel collaborator Sofia Coppola, who directed the dreamy teaser for the collection.

Chanel had also showcased its Spring/Summer 2025 Collection at Paris Couture Week.