Chanel brought its iconic Cruise 2024-2025 collection to Hong Kong, creating a fresh and dynamic contrast to the original show held in the French port city of Marseille last May. This time, the Hong Kong Design Institute, an architectural gem by the French studio Coldefy, served as the venue. Located in the repurposed industrial district of Tseung Kwan O, the site offered a dramatic urban backdrop that amplified Chanel’s timeless elegance.

The star-studded event drew in a glittering array of celebrities, including Chanel ambassadors Penélope Cruz and Whitney Peak, who added a touch of Hollywood glamor to the occasion. The choice to restage the show in Hong Kong – a city known for its unique blend of tradition and modernity – allowed the collection’s enduring appeal to shine in a new cultural context, proving Chanel’s designs effortlessly bridge continents and aesthetics.

Models present creations by Chanel during the Chanel Cruise 2024/25 fashion show at the Hong Kong Design Institute in Hong Kong on November 5, 2024.--AFP photos

Though the collection itself remained true to the Marseille debut, it seemed reinvigorated by the Hong Kong atmosphere. To complement the show, Chanel presented Modern Flirt, a captivating short film directed by Audrey Diwan. Starring Hong Kong actress Angela Yuen and French actor Benjamin Voisin, the film told a story of serendipity and allure as two strangers crossed paths in the city’s neon-lit streets.

Chanel’s signature tweed took on a playful edge with pastel greens, yellows, and pinks, while touches of seaside nostalgia – seashells, whimsical fish motifs, and breezy white lace – linked the Mediterranean spirit of Marseille with the maritime vibes of Hong Kong. The result was a collection that felt fresh, sophisticated, and entirely Chanel, celebrating both the city’s energy and the label’s storied heritage.