Last Thursday, Matthieu Blazy's debut creations for Chanel arrived in Paris stores amid fall/winter 2026 ready-to-wear shows. Editors, celebrities, and influencers swarmed boutiques, facing long waits for the spring collection. The enthusiasm highlights a strong reception despite a challenging luxury market.
The arrival of Matthieu Blazy's first Chanel collection sparked significant excitement in Paris during Fashion Week. On Thursday, as fall/winter 2026 shows unfolded, the spring ready-to-wear pieces reached stores like Rue Cambon, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and Le Bon Marché. This timing, amid a slower-than-expected luxury sector recovery and global conflicts such as the war in the Middle East deterring some buyers, underscored the collection's appeal.
Shoppers reported intense demand. Editor Olivia Singer described the buzz: “I haven’t seen people this excited about shopping in as long as I can remember... I audibly gasped and immediately bought the pair [of glossy black croc-stamped pumps].” Lynne Bredfeldt, Nike’s global senior director, noted, “Matthieu mania is clearly underway, and the collection looks even better in person,” after securing mint green embossed croc pumps.
The Rue Cambon store saw the largest crowds, with sightings of ambassador Bhavitha Mandava, model Amelia Gray, and Meta’s Eva Chen, who called the atmosphere “first day of school energy.” Editor Bryanboy compared the frenzy to Alessandro Michele’s Gucci debut a decade ago: “All the Americans were there, all the Asians were there, and the clients were there. The dressing rooms were packed.” Wait times reached 60 minutes for sales associates, with water and madeleines offered to those browsing without appointments.
Popular items included taupe pumps with white tips, spiky camellia earrings, cropped blazers, chain-strapless bags, mini croco-embossed totes, and a revisited 2.55 bag that smooths out from its runway crumpled look. A Charvet-collaborated cotton shirt with “Chanel” embroidery sold for €3,900 and quickly sold out. An anonymous very important client praised the shoes' menswear vibe and workwear pieces like short-cropped tailoring blazers paired with wrap skirts.
Elle’s Nina Garcia tried on several items. Chanel acknowledged the strong reception: “We are at the very beginning... Availability will then evolve naturally as the collection rolls out.” The house limits bag purchases to prevent resale, maintaining personalized client support. Eva Chen lamented sold-out favorites like soft lambskin sock heels and slouchy flap bags. Bryanboy added, “The collection was such a success.”
Launching during Paris Fashion Week amplified exclusivity, per Mario Ortelli of Ortelli & Co. The collection expands to the US and UK from March 13, with Chanel’s spring earnings to offer further insights.