As the Grand Palais undergoes renovations, Chanel’s runway moves to a more intimate setting, the Castel nightclub, which has been a haunt of Francoise Hardy, Mick Jagger, and more. As a nod to the past, when models did their own makeup backstage and dressed themselves, Virginie Viard wanted to capture that sense of camaraderie in the close space as she imagined “the models doing a show for themselves, going from room to room, crossing each other in staircases, piling their coats up in the cloakroom, and going up to the next floor to get changed.”

For this girl’s night out, contrast and layering is the focus. The Fall/Winter 2021 collection features calf-length coats in tweed, a number of puffers, and also faux-fur lined jackets. Underneath this hefty outerwear are mini sweater dresses and bodysuits with sheer chiffon. Even the footwear can shed a layer, as a “down jacket” like leg can be unzipped to reveal party-ready heeled booties. Combining Parisian chic with an après ski influence, Viard offers a winter wardrobe that can easily go from drinks at the lodge to a nightclub after-party. For the latter, there's plenty of sequins, both accenting the house's signature tweed and dominating several mini dresses. Even while plans for going out are put on hold, fashion reminds us that more celebratory days await.