Chanel goes to Cuba
Karl Lagerfeld, fashion icon, has officially pronounced Cuba “in” for fall. The Chanel creative director and enthusiastic cat owner traveled to Havana with a fleet of models including Gisele and actors including Tilda Swinton, to present a glitter-heavy show in the city’s Paseo del Prado that harkened back to the days of Ernest Hemingway, or perhaps Dirty Dancing Havana Nights. If the show is anything to go by, you can bring your fedora out of hiding, or maybe plan on a sassy beret a la Che Guevara? According to AP, “With the heart of the Cuban capital effectively privatized by an international corporation under the watchful eye of the Cuban state, the premiere of Chanel 2016/2017 ‘cruise’ line offered a startling sight in a country officially dedicated to social equality and the rejection of material wealth.” Translation: Somewhere, Che is turning in his grave.
- From their houses Cubans try to watch the Chanel performance at the Prado promenade in Havana, on May 3, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / ADALBERTO ROQUEADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP/Getty Images
- Cuban star singer of the Buena Vista Social Club music band, Omara Portuondo (R) arrives at the Prado promenade in Havana, on May 3, 2016 to watch the Chanel performance. / AFP PHOTO / ADALBERTO ROQUEADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP/Getty Images
- Anglo-Scottish actress, performance artist, model, and fashion icon Tilda Swinton (L) arrives at the Prado promenade in Havana, on May 3, 2016 to watch the Chanel performance.
- From their houses Cubans try to watch the Chanel performance at the Prado promenade in Havana, on May 3, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / ADALBERTO ROQUEADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP/Getty Images
- From their houses Cubans try to watch the Chanel performance at the Prado promenade in Havana, on May 3, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / ADALBERTO ROQUEADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP/Getty Images
- Chanel’s performance at the Prado promenade in Havana, on May 3, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / ADALBERTO ROQUEADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP/Getty Images
- Chanel’s performance at the Prado promenade in Havana, on May 3, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / ADALBERTO ROQUEADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP/Getty Images
- Models wear creations from the Karl Lagerfeld “cruise” line for fashion house Chanel, at the Paseo del Prado street in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, May 3, 2016. With the heart of the Cuban capital effectively privatized by an international corporation under the watchful eye of the Cuban state, the premiere of Chanel 2016/2017 “cruise” line offered a startling sight in a country officially dedicated to social equality and the rejection of material wealth. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
- Guests arrive to the presentation of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s “cruise” line for fashion house Chanel, at the Paseo del Prado street in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, May 3, 2016. With the heart of the Cuban capital effectively privatized by an international corporation under the watchful eye of the Cuban state, the premiere of Chanel 2016/2017 “cruise” line offered a startling sight in a country officially dedicated to social equality and the rejection of material wealth. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
- A model wears a creation from the Karl Lagerfeld “cruise” line for fashion house Chanel, at the Paseo del Prado street in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, May 3, 2016. With the heart of the Cuban capital effectively privatized by an international corporation under the watchful eye of the Cuban state, the premiere of Chanel 2016/2017 “cruise” line offered a startling sight in a country officially dedicated to social equality and the rejection of material wealth. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
- People attend the presentation of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s “cruise” line for fashion house Chanel, at the Paseo del Prado street in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, May 3, 2016. With the heart of the Cuban capital effectively privatized by an international corporation under the watchful eye of the Cuban state, the premiere of Chanel 2016/2017 “cruise” line offered a startling sight in a country officially dedicated to social equality and the rejection of material wealth. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
- Models wear creations from the Karl Lagerfeld “cruise” line for fashion house Chanel, at the Paseo del Prado street in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, May 3, 2016. With the heart of the Cuban capital effectively privatized by an international corporation under the watchful eye of the Cuban state, the premiere of Chanel 2016/2017 “cruise” line offered a startling sight in a country officially dedicated to social equality and the rejection of material wealth. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
- A model poses in front of a vintage American car as she arrives to the presentation of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s “cruise” line for fashion house Chanel, at the Paseo del Prado street in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, May 3, 2016. With the heart of the Cuban capital effectively privatized by an international corporation under the watchful eye of the Cuban state, the premiere of Chanel 2016/2017 “cruise” line offered a startling sight in a country officially dedicated to social equality and the rejection of material wealth. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
- Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, left, poses with the models who participated in the presentation of his “cruise” line for fashion house Chanel, at the Paseo del Prado street in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, May 3, 2016. With the heart of the Cuban capital effectively privatized by an international corporation under the watchful eye of the Cuban state, the premiere of Chanel 2016/2017 “cruise” line offered a startling sight in a country officially dedicated to social equality and the rejection of material wealth. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
- Actress Tilda Swinton has a photo taken with a guest during the presentation of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s “cruise” line for fashion house Chanel, at the Paseo del Prado street in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, May 3, 2016. With the heart of the Cuban capital effectively privatized by an international corporation under the watchful eye of the Cuban state, the premiere of Chanel 2016/2017 “cruise” line offered a startling sight in a country officially dedicated to social equality and the rejection of material wealth. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
- Brazilian top model Gisele Bundchen, second right, attends the presentation of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s “cruise” line for fashion house Chanel, at the Paseo del Prado street in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, May 3, 2016. With the heart of the Cuban capital effectively privatized by an international corporation under the watchful eye of the Cuban state, the premiere of Chanel 2016/2017 “cruise” line offered a startling sight in a country officially dedicated to social equality and the rejection of material wealth. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)