In the days leading up to its Cruise 2026 runway show, Chanel released a teaser video and photos shot by Sofia Coppola on the shores of Lake Como, which set a cinematic tone for the collection. This carried through to the runway looks themselves which were shown in an al fresco lakeside setting outdoors at the legendary Villa d’Este. The Cruise collection tapped into the glamour and nonchalant elegance of Italian summer style. This Chanel woman vacations in Lake Como and exudes carefree sophistication. In her suitcase—a neutral and pastel palette, poolside bags with woven chain straps, jeweled minaudières, statement sunglasses, lightweight tweeds, belted swimwear with coordinating coverups, and flowing ruffled gowns.
Guests included ambassadors and friends of the house such as Keira Knightly, Sofia Coppola, Lupita Nyong'o, Margaret Qualley, and Sarah Catherine Hook, who took seats at a sun-drenched café locale for the runway show. Ahead of Matthieu Blazy’s debut at Chanel in October, the collection was presented by the Creation Studio, providing an interlude before Blazy showcases his new vision for the fashion house in the coming months. Here, more on the Chanel resort 2026 collection.
The Cruise 2026 Collection
The glamour was turned up for the Chanel Cruise 2026 runway show. The iconic setting at Villa d'Este on Lake Como communicated that, as did the clothes. The collection evoked glamorous vacation style with pieces such as a ruffled scoop-neck evening dress primed for a black tie dress code, lightweight tweed pant sets, and smart pool attire. It evokes a jet-set lifestyle and robust social calendar, with the wardrobe to match.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
Star Power
A-list celebrities close to Chanel arrived in Lake Como for the French fashion house's Cruise 2026 collection, including Keira Knightley in a black and white palazzo dress adorned with a strung pearl belt, Margaret Qualley styled in a mini tweed dress paired with toe-capped slingbacks, Lupita Nyong'o in a buttoned jacket and CC hair accessories, Sofia Coppola in a two-tone skirt set, and Sarah Catherine Hooks wearing a sleek LBD and quilted bag.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)
The Bags
Chanel's bags are always a focal-point on the runways. For the Cruise 2026 collection, we saw updated versions of the just-launched Chanel 2025 bag in a shade of violet alongside bejeweled minaudières, straw flag bags, pool totes with chain handles, and scarf-accessorized quilted silhouettes. Each style feels primed for a Lake Como packing list.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
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