Chanel Spring 2020 is Finally Here and in Stores

Chanel’s Spring 2020 collection lands in stores this week. It’s a great time to take another look at the bags (including those which may not have shown on the runway). Moreover, designer Virginie Viard is still new to the helm of the Chanel machine. Spring 2020 is only her second solo collection since the baton passed to her following Karl Lagerfeld’s passing.

However, Viard certainly is no stranger to Lagerfeld’s vision for the House of Chanel. She began at Chanel as an intern in 1987. Over the next 30 years, she worked closely with Lagerfeld, rising to become studio director where she brought his visions to life. Coordinating with the ateliers and Métiers d’Art houses, Viard made Lagerfeld’s remarkable sketches into a reality. As she explains in an story with The Telegraph about her day to day at the fashion powerhouse…

Flap Bag priced at $4,300. Photo courtesy of Chanel.com

Photo courtesy of Chanel.com

“I coordinate the teams, liaise with suppliers and choose fabrics. Then, of course do fittings with Karl. As soon as I receive his sketches, the process begins. I try to please him, but I like to surprise him too.”

Small Drawstring Bag priced at $3,700. Photo courtesy of Chanel.com

Small Flap Bag priced at £3,000. Photo courtesy of Chanel.com

Flap Bag with Top Handle priced at $4,500. Photo courtesy of Chanel.com

Drawstring Bag priced at $3,800. Photo courtesy of Chanel.com

Photo courtesy of Chanel.com

She rightfully earned her position as Chanel’s Creative Director and successor to the man she worked closely and learned so much from for over three decades.

Shopping Bag priced at $5,200. Photo courtesy of Chanel.com

Shopping Bag priced at $5,100. Photo courtesy of Chanel.com

Small 2.55 Handbag priced at $2,900. Photo courtesy of Chanel.com

Photo courtesy of Chanel.com

Chanel 19 Large Flap Bag priced at $5,100. Photo courtesy of Chanel.com

Shopping bag priced at $3,700. Photo courtesy of Chanel.com

Her first solo collection was Cruise 2020 – marking the first Chanel runway without Karl Lagerfeld since 1983. For Spring 2020, Viard continues with the key codes of the house staying true to the aesthetics originally introduced by Coco Chanel and carried on throughout the years by Karl Lagerfeld. She understands the brand and knows what Karl wanted and exactly how he wanted it. It’s not a drastic change in design, but rather a fresh and slightly simplified approach to the icon Chanel tweeds, jackets, cap-toe shoes and suiting.