Front Row at Chanel Fall 2026

Matthieu Blazy presented his fourth Chanel show for Fall 2026 in front of a jam-packed front row during Paris Fashion Week on Monday.

There was a lot to appreciate in this collection, as Blazy continues the careful task of modernising Chanel. The approach felt thoughtful, grounded, and wearable, while still respecting the house’s heritage codes. Naturally, some repetition appeared across the runway, but that is almost inevitable when a show runs to 78 looks. I was particularly drawn to the drop-waist silhouettes, which feel destined for the likes of Tilda Swinton and Nicole Kidman, though I am curious to see how other celebrities interpret them on the red carpet.

Platinum Hair, Maximum Impact

Teyana Taylor easily stole attention from the rest of the front row with her new platinum blonde hairstyle. I love how she constantly evolves her look. She wore a Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 transparent PVC raincoat layered over a printed tweed ensemble, styled with oval sunglasses and the house’s dual-colour slingbacks. The coat’s glossy finish added a futuristic twist while still nodding to Chanel’s playful side.

Outside Her Chanel Comfort Zone

Lily-Rose Depp is usually the Chanel ambassador whose look you can almost predict before she arrives, but those familiar silhouettes are no longer readily available under Blazy. The French actress stepped outside her comfort zone in a leopard print Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 midi dress with a matching fascinator. I appreciate the change of direction, but I am not convinced by the silhouette or the length on her. Personally, I am only fully buying this look from the waist up.

Selling It Anyway

Margot Robbie also debuted a hair change, opting for a shorter style following her mammoth Wuthering Heights press tour. The Australian actress wore a sheer layered top paired with jean-inspired trousers from the Chanel Spring 2026 Haute Couture collection. While she is absolutely selling this look from head-to-toe, I still struggle to see the couture craftsmanship here. Haute Couture does not have to deliver Schiaparelli levels of spectacle, but when I think of couture, a certain level of visible craft is expected, and I am not seeing it here.

A Second Chance For This Look

Most of you were not convinced when Jessie Buckley wore this Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 look, but does seeing it styled with Chanel jewellery on Al Hasimoto change your mind now?

Another Chanel Rerun

We have another rerun, with Anamaria Vartolomei’s graphic orange and black beaded Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 midi dress previously seen on Kendall Jenner during her guest appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Classic Chanel Codes

Charlotte Casiraghi wore a Chanel suit that is overflowing with heritage codes, but my first reaction was that the look might feel better suited to someone slightly older.

A Fresher Take On Chanel Tailoring

Eileen Gu’s Chanel suit felt noticeably fresher and less mature by comparison, offering a younger interpretation of the house’s tailoring codes.

Making The Look Her Own

This may prove to be an unpopular opinion, but I actually like this Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 netted embellished look on Jennie. Mostly because the styling flips the top around and skips the jacket, which helps personalise the outfit. The only elements preventing me from fully loving the look are the accessories, especially the shoes. The bag also reads a little too daytime for such a statement piece.

Effortless Chanel Elegance

Kylie Minogue’s Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 look delivered an easy, graceful interpretation of the collection that felt completely natural to her style.

A Rare Miss

This Chanel Spring 2026 look is, unfortunately, painfully bad on Lori Harvey. The look shortens her frame, and the overall silhouette appears boxy. It is unusually unflattering on someone who typically carries almost anything with ease. The exaggerated slit and extended leg pose feel like an attempt to create length that the outfit itself simply does not provide. The styling does little to rescue it either, leaving this as one of the weakest Chanel front-row looks.

Great On Top, Confusing Below

I love the top half of Olivia Dean’s Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 look. The patterned jacket has charm and personality, and it feels entirely in line with her expressive style. The skirt, however, is where the look begins to lose me. The textured feathered fabrication and mermaid shape feel overly busy and visually heavy, which throws off the balance of the outfit. Instead of complementing the jacket, the skirt competes with it, making the look feel slightly mismatched.

Understated Chanel Menswear

As a Chanel ambassador, Wang Yibo delivered one of the more understated appearances in the front row. His quilted camel coat layered over a dark shirt and tailored trousers offered a refined take on Chanel menswear codes. The clean lines and muted palette kept the look sleek, while the quilted texture subtly referenced one of the house’s most recognisable signatures.

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