As someone who calls the French Riviera home, the Chanel Cruise collections have always held a special kind of allure for me. Here, where sun-drenched days bleed into glittering nights and fashion often walks straight off the promenade into a dinner party, Cruise is more than a pre-season – it’s a way of life. This year’s Chanel Cruise 2025/26 show, held on the storied shores of Lake Como, felt especially resonant. Not just because of its romantic Italian setting, but because of Sofia Coppola’s poetic eye, which translated the maison’s heritage into a visual reverie that speaks directly to those of us who live our summers by the sea.
Unveiled at the opulent Villa d’Este on Lake Como, Italy, marked a pivotal moment for the maison. While new creative director Matthieu Blazy prepares his debut for later this year, this show was orchestrated by Chanel’s design studio, showcasing the brand’s enduring elegance and craftsmanship. The event was further elevated by a cinematic short film directed by Sofia Coppola, capturing the essence of a luxurious lakeside escape..
Sofia Coppola’s involvement in the Chanel Cruise collection was twofold.
She directed both the teaser and the full-length short film accompanying the show. Her direction brought a dreamy, nostalgic quality to the presentation, aligning with the collection’s themes of timeless glamour and Italian leisure. Set against the backdrop of Lake Como, the film featured models in flowing tweeds and jewel-toned ensembles, embodying the spirit of a modern-day Dolce Vita. The presence of Coppola at the event, alongside luminaries like Keira Knightley and Margaret Qualley, underscored the collection’s cinematic aspirations.
Among the many highlights of Chanel Cruise 2025/26 collection, it was the interplay of classic colours and the soft, romantic spectrum of pinks that truly stole my heart. From barely-there blush to rich rose and punchy bubblegum, pink appeared in endless variations – each one capturing a different mood of Riviera elegance. A cropped tweed jacket in pale powder paired with a crystal-trimmed mini skirt shimmered like morning light on lake water, while a sequined navy-and-white striped dress, cinched with a silk scarf and topped with a gold mini bag, echoed the playful sophistication of a coastal escape. One look, all ivory linen and lilac accents, whispered of leisurely afternoons spent under wisteria canopies, while another, a sheer slip beneath a pearl-studded cardigan, captured the house’s signature sensuality with refined restraint.
As a collector and longtime devotee of Chanel Cruise accessories, I can say without hesitation that the Cruise 2025/26 collection did not fail to impress, surprise, and utterly seduce. The handbags, in particular, were a standout – each one a statement of craftsmanship and playful sophistication. From miniature tweed flap bags with jewel-encrusted handles to oversized woven totes that whisper of impromptu weekends on the Ligurian coast, the collection offered something for every kind of summer fantasy. Metallic finishes, silky textures, and the clever use of Chanel Cruise’s signature chains elevated even the most functional shapes into objects of pure desire. These are not just accessories, they’re conversation starters, memory-makers, and wardrobe anchors that will bring instant joy to any outfit.
Watching the collection unfold through Coppola’s lens and against the dreamy backdrop of Como, I couldn’t help but imagine how these pieces would translate back to the Riviera — tweed jackets catching the breeze on a café terrace in Antibes, sequined stripes lighting up a Saint-Tropez soirée. Chanel Cruise 2025/26 isn’t just a statement of elegance; it’s a love letter to those of us who embrace coastal life with style and ease. For my fellow Riviera dwellers and stylish globetrotters alike, this collection isn’t just aspirational – it’s perfectly wearable fantasy.
By Olga Barrale