Ready For Take Off On Chanel Airlines?

An entire airport was installed at the Grand Palais for the Chanel show this morning. It came complete with check-in desks manned by Chanel-clad stewardesses, baggage carousels and perforated metal lounge seats.

The collection, too, riffed on this theme. Departure board prints, light up emergency exit tiva sandals and bijou silver airplane necklaces were just a few of the references used.

If the statement was blockbuster the clothes were equally extraordinary. The Chanel suit looked as good as ever in myriad incarnations. Imagine it in monochrome checked tweed: the jacket had no fastenings; the skirt was straight and fell to just above the knee. Or how about a shrunken blouson worn with a high-waisted, full, ankle-length skirt?

Of course it didn't stop there. Denim printed with rococo curlicues was cut into everything from jeans to jumpsuits. Leather skirts and trousers were worn with sparkling vests edged with silk bows, vibrantly coloured print covered everything from frilled chiffon apron skirts to oversized shirtwaisters... The list goes on and on and on.

This was certainly the biggest, boldest collection of the season so far and the sheer audacity only added to the magical nature of both the myth surrounding French fashion's biggest name and its creative director, Karl Lagerfeld, who conjures up only the most desirable clothes.

At the end of the show he took his bows alongside Cara Delevingne, who was sat on the front row, and holding his godson Hudson's hand. Safe flight, M Lagerfeld.