“Everything has to be top of refinement, if not couture has no reason to exist…I like the idea of craziness with discipline.”

- Karl Lagerfeld on the Chanel Spring-Summer 2013 Haute Couture Collection

Yesterday, the Grand Palais in Paris was transformed into a magical forest that Karl Lagerfeld saw in his dreams and sketched.   His creation of a “romantic catwalk” that eschewed the rigidity of walking in a straight line was the perfect setting for Chanel’s etheral spring-summer 2013 haute couture collection.

The emphasis of the collection was on framing the shoulder.  Lagerfeld created volume around the shoulders, and by doing so highlighted the neck, collar bones and shoulders of the models.  The collection was cast in a palette of white, black, ivory, navy, silver and gold with hints of pastels like lavender, pink and seafoam green.  The fabrics were all custom and floral gowns that looked like prints were in fact, embroidered with half-million beads.  Despite the amount of embroidery, the gowns were lightweight and flowed like silk.

One of the highlights of the collection were the boots – no those were not lace pants!  Some boots were constructed only of lace, while others were half lace, half the same fabric of the skirt it was worn with.   I normally don’t love high boots but when they look like leggings, are made by lace and are Chanel, then I love them!  I also loved the zippers in the back which were meant to mimic the look of fully fashioned stockings.

The show ended with a statement – a political one that is.  Couture shows always end with a wedding gown and this time, Karl marched two brides down the runway.  At a time when same-sex marriage is causing a stir in France, Karl Lagerfeld showed his support for the legalization of same-sex marriage.  As if the collection couldn’t have gotten any better, Karl Lagerfeld topped himself by making a beautiful statement about love and humanity. 

See the full collection below. Please click the first image to click through the slides.

Images courtesy of Chanel

Here we have the finished product of the Chanel Spring-Summer 2013 Haute Couture press kit shot by Karl Lagerfeld and featuring who I believe is Marte Mei van Haaster (IMG).  From these images you can begin to see the exquisite details that are the pinnacle of Chanel’s craftsmanship.  More images from the runway presentation coming soon! For now, enjoy these lovely photos…

Photos by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel