It’s Chanel through the eyes of Sofia Coppola, and we’re ready to get lost in it. In anticipation of Chanel’s Cruise 2025/26 show, Coppola invites us into an enchanting escape at the legendary Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como. Once again, Coppola artfully blurs the lines between fashion and film, crafting a cinematic teaser that transports viewers to Italy’s most iconic waterfront. The acclaimed filmmaker and longtime house collaborator captures the in-between moments of a luxurious getaway, where glamour feels effortless and reality gently fades into the background.
Coppola’s vision is a cinematic daydream that captures the very essence of Chanel Cruise: relaxation, freedom, and an irresistible detachment from reality. Model Ida Heiner floats through the Renaissance grandeur of Villa d’Este, dressed in chic high-waisted shorts, statement swimsuits, and breezy accessories from the upcoming collection. It’s an elegant ode to vacation dressing, seen through Coppola’s signature lens of wistful luxury. “Time seems to stop, and you can be a fantasy version of yourself or a life that you don’t usually have time for,” Coppola shares. This sentiment weaves its way through every frame, whether Heiner is gliding down marble staircases or basking on the sun-drenched terraces overlooking the shimmering lake.
Known for her instinctive portrayal of youthful femininity, Coppola reimagines the Chanel woman as both relatable in her curiosity and aspirational in her beauty. “When you travel, you allow yourself to explore another version of who you are,” she says. “That’s what I wanted to capture—the way a place and a wardrobe can transform you, even if just for a little while”. In the teaser, fashion doesn’t just dress the woman; it scripts her story, with each piece acting as a costume and catalyst. True to form, Chanel’s longstanding relationship with cinema, including Coppola’s own Priscilla, continues to deepen the dialogue between women, film, and fashion.
The setting itself becomes a silent character in Coppola’s visual story, feeling straight out of a classic film, which isn’t accidental. Villa d’Este has long enchanted directors and dreamers alike—Luchino Visconti, a friend of Gabrielle Chanel herself, spent his childhood summers there. Coppola nods to this rich cinematic heritage, threading a subtle connection between the golden eras of Hollywood (and its icons like Grace Kelly) to the modern-day allure of Chanel. “Villa d’Este feels like a film location…” Coppola explains. “It has the elegance of an Italian palace hotel of a past era that hasn’t changed… you can’t help but stop and really take it all in”.
The Chanel Cruise 2025/26 show will premiere on 30 April 2025 at 8 pm Malaysian time here. Until then, Coppola’s teaser offers a tantalising glimpse into a world where holidays are forever, and style is second nature.
Watch the teaser below:
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