For Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel Resort 2010 Collection he went to a place of mystery and history: Venice. As one of Coco Chanel’s haunts when she was alive, the collection seemed to me a revival of sorts, especially with the introductory exits of black capes and hats.

The models paraded down the boardwalk runway like silent movie stars on holiday, each with a certain frilly-ness that was reminiscent of a time’s past. I think the show was at its best in the first half, with the pairing of swimwear bottoms with nautical sweaters and dark sunglasses.

The reality is that people don’t really dress like how it is on the runways, but I believe one of the driving strengths in the collection was its dreamlike quality. Long dresses and suit jackets with jewelry all provided a real sense of another time; a time of glamour and people having money.

In times of economic recession, one would assume that productions are taken a notch down and perhaps focus more closely on the clothing rather than the theatrics. But this is not the case at the house of Chanel. Of the six shows Karl Lagerfeld produces each year for Chanel, each is never created with an ounce of frugality. There are no limits. I think that may just be necessary for these times though, because often in fashion it’s all about the dream.

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