Marion Morehouse models a Chanel evening dress from 1926 with a drop waist and ombre fringe, photographed by Edward Steichen for Vogue.
Chanel, pre-fall 2026
Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
Last week saw the release of Chanel in Vogue, a two-volume book exploring the shared history of the French fashion house and the magazine from 1910 to 2025. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel led the maison for 46 years in total (she closed her workshops during and for a period after World War II), while Karl Lagerfeld was at the helm for 36.
Chanel, who designed the clothes she herself wanted to wear, remains the brand’s guiding inspiration. An orphan raised by nuns, she evolved from a headstrong young woman in bohemian circles into a formidable businesswoman. She was not only her own best model but also the embodiment of the modern woman, creating easy, streamlined clothes meant for an active life. She valued freedom and independence, and had little patience for designers she felt treated women merely as decorative objects.
Ahead of Matthieu Blazy’s second ready-to-wear collection for Chanel, and drawing on images from Chanel in Vogue, here are some connections between past and present that show how Coco’s spirit endures.
Chanel’s jersey dress with gold embroidered trim, 1916.
Illustration, Vogue, 1916
Chanel, spring 2026 ready-to-wear
Photo: Isidore Montag / Gorunway.com
An embroidered Chanel dress from 1918.
Illustration, Vogue, February 15, 1918
Chanel, spring 2026 couture
Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
“A wind-like motion softens basic slimness.” A Chanel little black dress from 1925.
Illustration by Main Rousseau Bocher, Vogue, October 15, 1925
Chanel, spring 2026 couture
Photo: Armando Grillo / Gorunway.com
Marion Morehouse wears a Chanel dress with a deep back décolletage and “crochet beading” in the November 1, 1927 issue of Vogue.
Photo: Edward Steichen / Getty Images
Chanel, pre-fall 2026
Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
Lee Miller in a Chanel sports ensemble, 1928.
Photographed by Edward Steichen, Vogue, July 15, 1928
Chanel, spring 2026 ready-to-wear
Photo: Isidore Montag / Gorunway.com
Lee Miller in a velvet and tulle Chanel gown with “dramatic flare,” 1930.
Photographed by George Hoyningen-Huene, Vogue, November 24, 1930
Chanel, spring 2026 ready-to-wear
Photo: Isidore Montag / Gorunway.com
Avis Newcomb, right, in a chiffon dress with “winglike” sleeves by Chanel, 1931.
Photographed by Edward Steichen, Vogue, July 15, 1931
Chanel, spring 2026 couture
Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
Lightness is all. A sequined tulle gown and scarf designed by Chanel in 1935.
Photographed by Cecil Beaton, Vogue, December 15, 1935
Chanel, spring 2026 couture
Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
Vogue highlighted Chanel’s bustle-like black lace peplum in 1939.
Photographed by André Durst, Vogue, April 1, 1939
Chanel, spring 2026 couture
Photo: Armando Grillo / Gorunway.com
Chanel, spring 2026 ready-to-wear
Photo: Isidore Montag / Gorunway.com
Chanel created the costumes Salvador Dalí designed for the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo’s 1939 performance of “Bacchanale,” set to Wagner’s music.
Photographed by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, October 15, 1939
Chanel, spring 2026 ready-to-wear
Photo: Armando Grillo / Gorunway.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Matthieu Blazy drawing inspiration from Coco Chanel designed to be clear and conversational
Beginner General Questions
1 Who is Matthieu Blazy
Matthieu Blazy is the Creative Director of the luxury fashion house Bottega Veneta He took over the role in 2021 and is known for his focus on craftsmanship wearability and subtle innovation
2 How is Blazy connected to Coco Chanel
He isnt directly connected but he looks to her as a major historical inspiration He admires her revolutionary approach to womens fashion particularly her philosophy of creating clothes for real life
3 What does drawing inspiration from Coco Chanel actually mean
It means he studies her core ideaslike comfort timelessness and redefining luxuryand interprets them for todays world through his own design lens at Bottega Veneta Its about philosophy not copying her designs
4 Can you see Chanels influence in Blazys clothes
Yes but in a subtle modern way You see it in the emphasis on effortless elegance the importance of a great coat or jacket and the idea that clothes should empower the person wearing them not restrict them
Advanced Detailed Questions
5 What specific Chanel principles does Blazy reference most
He often cites two key principles Luxury must be comfortable otherwise it is not luxury and the idea of creating a wardrobe rather than just seasonal trends He focuses on pieces that are both incredibly wellmade and feel easy to wear
6 How does Blazys quiet luxury at Bottega Veneta relate to Chanel
Chanel pioneered a form of quiet luxury in her day by using humble fabrics like jersey for high fashion and focusing on cut over ostentation Blazy continues this by emphasizing sublime leatherwork perfect tailoring and rich textures over loud logos making the luxury feel personal and intrinsic
7 Isnt Bottega Veneta known for leather and weaving How does that fit with Chanel
This is where Blazys genius lies He translates Chanels spirit through Bottegas codes For example a Chanelstyle tweed suit might be reinterpreted by Blazy using B