RUNWAY REPORT.....Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week: Chanel Couture Fall 2017

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WHAT: Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017. 83-year-old Karl Lagerfeld had a 46-ton Eiffel Tower recreated inside the Grand Palais to highlight his "Tribute to Paris" Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017/2018 show.

Eiffel Tower a la Chanel: Scenes from the Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017 show, Grand Palais Paris

The 35-meter (125 feet) replica of the iconic Parisian monument, greeted guests, as it seemed to go beyond the Grand Palais' famed glass ceiling, as man-made steam created the illusion of clouds up above. It took workmen six weeks to make, copying beam for beam the columns and metal made by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Universal Exhibition.

Vintage photos showing the progression of the Eiffel Tower construction--1887-1889

INSPIRATION: The Belle Epoque was the starting point for inspiration, specifically the period which followed the building of the Eiffel Tower. Lagerfeld also said he was inspired by a "revived Parisian woman" with shapes, silhouettes and cuts that combined essences of the late 1880's-to-early 1900's, as well as 60's and contemporary looks.

Late 1880's-to-early 1900's Belle Epoque Fashion Styles

Coco Chanel (Left) circa 1910 and with her cousin (right) wearing her boater (canotier) hat

SEEN ON THE RUNWAY: Curved oversized sloping shoulders; leg-o-mutton arms showed overt wink-and-a-nod to the pre-World War I fashion styles. The Chanel canotier hat which Coco wore during that same period was shown with just about every outfit. Besides this, many 1960's shapes and details were present such as mini dresses, retro batteau collars, knee-high boots and fun bows. As usual at Chanel Haute Couture, exquisitely-made tweeds highlighted this Fall/Winter collection. Leather collars, multi layered pailletes and feathers made appearances here and there. The feathers mimicking a look of fur trim.

Feathered Couture: If you look close enough, you might notice that each feather was hand cut to resemble the Eiffel Tower--Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017