GOOD VIBES

EVERY YEAR, CHANEL PICKS A PLACE ON THE WORLD MAP NOT ONLY TO INSPIRE, BUT ALSO TO SHOWCASE ITS ANNUAL CRUISE COLLECTION (IT’S A TRADITION THAT’S ROOTED IN THE MAISON’S EARLY YEARS WHEN COCO CHANEL PRESENTED A LINE OUTSIDE OF THE USUAL FASHION CALENDAR TO INCITE WANDERLUST FOR TOASTIER, MORE PICTURE-PERFECT CLIMES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS). THE LATEST DESTINATION: VIBRANT MARSEILLE – THE FRENCH CITY THAT RECEIVES THE MOST SUNSHINE; HOME TO AN ECLECTIC REPERTOIRE OF CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS AND LANDMARKS; AND A MAGNET FOR EMERGING CREATIVES WITH ITS MIX OF GRIT AND GLAMOUR, LAND AND SEA, AND YOUTHFUL BOHEMIAN ENERGY. THE RESULTS? A COLLECTION THAT MAKES US WANT TO LET LOOSE AND DANCE. NOELLE LOH REPORTS FROM THE PHOCAEAN CITY.

- NOELLE LOH

In 1952, the Modernist architect Le Corbusier completed Cite Radieuse, his seminal mixed-use project in the eighth arrondissement of Marseille that would become the blueprint for his Unite d’Habitation housing development concept.

Meant to create a self-contained community where residents could live, work and play without leaving the premises, it comprises 337 apartments of 23 different modular layouts, a rooftop terrace, shops, educational facilities, a swimming pool, an art gallery and even a hotel.

This revolutionary vision of how people could live harmoniously with their environment earned the building a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2016.

Unveiled on the roof of this monument on May 3 this year, Chanel’s Cruise 2024/25 collection can be said to possess the same effortless combination of function and fun.

The brand’s tweed jackets, for example, now feature diver-inspired hoods with press studs (wear them with or without) with some even paired with not tweed skirts, but ultra-cute tweed cycling shorts. Equally practical yet elegant: sporty knits in cream and primary colours.