Neo-Tweed Creates a Sensation at the Chanel Show

For many, Matthieu Blazy’s first Chanel show was one of the most anticipated events of the Spring–Summer 2026 season. In its 115-year history, the fashion house has had only four creative directors – Gabrielle Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, Virginie Viard, and now Matthieu Blazy, a designer of French-Belgian origin.The challenge he faced would have daunted many, yet he approached it with passion and inspiration, managing to reinterpret and refresh Chanel’s codes with impressive mastery and effortless elegance.The Grand Palais – the iconic stage for Chanel’s traditional shows – was transformed this season into a striking cosmic universe with gigantic, almost lifelike planets. The set design recalled the grandiose productions of the Karl Lagerfeld era, when every Chanel show was a true visual spectacle.Matthieu Blazy presented his vision for Chanel as an ode to love, freedom, and modernity. His neo-tweed blends the spirit of Gabrielle Chanel with a fresh sense of elegance – timeless, boundary-free, and rule-defying, yet always retaining the refined sophistication characteristic of the brand.


Chanel - 2026

This idea of freedom was expressed by the designer through a show structured in three acts. The first act played with contrasts between masculinity and femininity – a tribute to Gabrielle Chanel’s signature silhouette with masculine influences, inspired by her great love, Boy Capel. The opening look featured a short blazer, a simple shirt, and classic gray trousers.Next, Matthieu Blazy turned his attention to the house’s iconic elements, reinterpreting them in a fresh way – thus, neo-tweed was born. He completely reimagined the classic Chanel suit, deconstructing its strict lines and breathing new life into the fabric. His aim was to give the garments a sense of history, as if they had traveled through time and carried their own story.The tweed, Chanel’s timeless emblem, appeared in a new guise – frayed, accented with decorative trims, or delicately embroidered – maintaining the brand’s spirit while infusing it with a modern, vibrant energy.

Chanel - 2026


Chanel - 2026

In the third act comes the revival – the climax of this woolen fabric. The iconic Chanel suit is completely reimagined, with renewed proportions and modernized volumes. The structure of the tweed transforms into hand-knitted fabrics, creating a play of transparency through delicate slip skirts. The architecture of the classic Chanel suit remains recognizable but is stripped of any superfluous embellishments.The shoulders of the jackets are rounded and softened, while the skirts, traditionally falling below the knee, are presented this time in a short, modern version. For Matthieu Blazy, this experimentation with the fabric is not merely a creative gesture but a true homage to the house’s craftsmanship and to the idea of freedom so dear to Gabrielle Chanel’s heart.

Chanel - 2026

Chanel - 2026