Luxury brand Chanel induces ideas of Paris Fashion Week, not necessarily the Shelly Beach in Sydney where swim groups, divers and avid mental health walkers make a pitstop.
And yet, on November 4, the high fashion label hosted a private VIP dinner at Manly’s most-nestled beach ahead of its Chanel Cruise Runway show in Sydney the following day.
The Cruise 2026/27 collection already made its catwalk debut in Biarritz, France, on April 28. Nonetheless, it marks a significant moment for Australia’s fashion landscape because this is Chanel’s runway debut Down Under!
The show will reportedly be walked twice on Thursday, November 5, scheduled for 2:30pm and 6pm.
Who better to experience this memorable moment than some of our home-grown talent?
Moving through the bustling Sydney Airport, Barbie’s Margot Robbie was the picture of composure in an Audrey Hepburn, Roman Holiday inspired outfit. Looking chic in black Capri pants and crew-neck top, with paisley-print blue headscarf.
The Chanel ambassador of course represented the luxury label with sunglasses and a black leather bag.
Margot arrived in the country solo, having welcomed her bub in October 2024 with husband Tom Ackerley. The loverbirds currently live in sunny California.
Australia’s sweetheart Nicole Kidman also returned to our shores with her 15-year-old daughter Faith Margaret. If there was any confusion as to why the Practical Magic actor was Down Under, all was cleared up with her Chanel logo black cap and Chanel crocodile Maxi Flap bag worth nearly $16,000.
Nicole returned to Chanel as an ambassador just last October, more than two decades after her No5 campaign – which is the most expensive TV advertisement ever produced, costing $33 million.
Also returning home for the event is fellow Chanel ambassador Jacob Elordi, 29, who very recently became the face of Bleu de Chanel. Classic literature fans may see Jacob reunite with his Wuthering Heights co-star Margot for the fashion event!
The pair grew rather close while filming the period piece a few years prior, with Jacob revealing their “mutual obsession” with one another.
“I think the thing is, regardless of plot or screenplay, if you have the opportunity to share a film set with Margot Robbie, you’re going to make sure you’re within 5 to 10 metres at all times,” he said in an interview with Fandango.
Another key celebrity on the guest list is pop star Kylie Minogue. While The Loco-Motion singer isn’t an ambassador, she did star in the French fashion house’s campaign for the Chanel 25 handbag with Margot.
Kylie and Margot have been friends for many years, bonding over cocktails shortly after the Suicide Squad actor moved to the US.
“She sat down, the coolest, warmest, most divine creature you’ve ever met,” Margot previously confessed to Scott Mills. “She was just like, ‘Oh I just, you know, thought you’re an Aussie and I’m an Aussie and we’ve never met. We should probably hang out’.”
The full celebrity guest list for the Chanel show is yet to be confirmed. But watch this space.
