Margot Robbie debuted a striking new haircut as she joined fellow luminaries Kylie Minogue and Olivia Dean on the front row for Chanel’s autumn/winter 2026 show during Paris Fashion Week.
The Australian actress, 35, unveiled a fresh lob – a long bob – complete with a fringe, taking her seat alongside Australian singer Minogue and British singer Dean to witness creative director Matthieu Blazy’s latest collection for the iconic French house.
The spectacle unfolded beneath the vast glass roof of the Grand Palais, where towering crane structures, illuminated in primary colours, transformed the venue into a scene reminiscent of a construction site. Blazy explained that this staging reflected his vision of “building a dream” as he continues to reshape the house founded by Coco Chanel in 1910.
Excitement surrounding the designer’s tenure has been palpable throughout Paris Fashion Week, with reports circulating of editors, buyers, and models queueing for hours at Chanel’s Paris boutiques, eager to secure pieces from his early collections.
On the runway, the collection explored Chanel’s rich heritage through subtle reinterpretations. The show opened with one of the house’s most recognisable signatures: the tweed skirt suit. A black ribbed version, fastened with gold buttons, offered a refined take on the classic silhouette, paired with pointed heels and a structured handbag.
Another look featured a cream tweed jacket and matching skirt with softly frayed edges, introducing a relaxed yet elegant twist on the classic two-piece set.
Several ensembles paired structured jackets with slim pencil skirts, while others showcased textured tweed coats layered over dresses or blouses. Blazy also revisited the drop-waist silhouettes associated with Chanel’s 1920s designs.
These elongated shapes lengthened the torso, creating a looser, flapper-inspired line that contrasted with the sharper, cinched tailoring prevalent on many runways this season.
As an autumn/winter collection, outerwear played a significant role. A short grey jacket with a pointed collar was styled with wide-leg trousers, while a multicoloured tweed coat layered over a lace-trimmed skirt and vibrant pink blouse demonstrated Blazy’s interest in blending classic fabrics with contemporary styling.
Elsewhere, a fitted black jacket and skirt combination emphasised a streamlined silhouette, accessorised with a shoulder bag and two-tone heels – a subtle nod to one of Chanel’s enduring footwear signatures.
Texture and craftsmanship were also prominent. One sleeveless look featured intricate embellishment, while another paired a checked coat with a delicately detailed skirt incorporating lace and embroidery. As the collection progressed, decorative elements became more evident.
A pink dress adorned with feather-like embellishments – a dominant trend this season – introduced movement, while other garments layered textured fabrics to create depth.
Accessories remained understated yet essential. Structured handbags appeared throughout the runway, often in neutral tones, while jewellery ranged from delicate pieces to oversized statement necklaces.
One look featured a dramatic red gown styled with a bold coin necklace, its gathered fabric cascading fluidly in a high-low style, a trend also seen at Dior. Elsewhere, a model wearing narrow green sunglasses paired the accessory with a red and black textured dress and a chunky necklace, injecting a playful and contemporary note into the otherwise restrained palette.
The finale returned to the minimalist elegance long associated with the house. A black dress cut from fluid fabric appeared deceptively simple from the front but revealed a low back detail punctuated by one of Chanel’s most recognisable motifs – the camellia flower. This moment encapsulated Blazy’s approach: respecting the codes established by Coco Chanel while gradually adjusting them for a new generation.
Following the tenures of legendary creative directors including Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard, Blazy faces the challenge of guiding one of fashion’s most influential houses into its next chapter. Judging by the reaction from fashion insiders – and the crowds reportedly forming outside Chanel boutiques across Paris – the rebuilding process is already well underway.