All of the Unexpected Beauty Details From Chanel’s SS22 Haute Couture Show
Where the eye looks were pushed to creative extremes
Over the years at Chanel Haute Couture shows, we have seen many a beauty look: punkish hair, floral motifs, immaculate skin and a signature scarlet lip. But last night at the Paris’ Grand Palais Éphémère, the spring summer ’22 collection came with an unexpected — even polarising — beauty detail: extremely heavy use of black liner.
Those who tuned in to the incredibly beautiful presentation — opened by none other than Charlotte Casiraghi on horseback — would have noticed a handful of models walked the runway with a single smudged black eye. At first it felt confusing, but as always the case with Chanel, the look was deliberate and steeped with meaning, said to be inspired by pre-war avant garde creatives (as the entire show hinged on the ’20s, ’30s and Constructivism movement).
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 25: Jade Nguyen walks the runway during the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show as part of the Paris Haute Couture Week on January 25, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 25: A model walks the runway during the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show as part of the Paris Haute Couture Week on January 25, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
All remaining models wore a heavy-set, soft-focus double wing, presumably crafted from a pencil or powder shadow. Brows were strong, skin was polished but natural, and lips were lacquered with a subtle pinky-coral gloss, lifting the otherwise dark beauty aesthetic.
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 25: A model walks the runway during the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show as part of the Paris Haute Couture Week on January 25, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 25: A model walks the runway during the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show as part of the Paris Haute Couture Week on January 25, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
As for the hair, Chanel did their French best. Instead of a uniform style, it was either worn out or swept into a low ponytail with a deep side part. Texture-wise the hair was soft, clean, shiny but with natural movement; a done-but-undone finish that’s synonymous with the house of Chanel.
Despite the quirks, it was still an intricate and thoughtful display of beauty — not to mention a boundary-breaking approach for a brand that usually keeps things classic.
Scroll on for a few of our favourite moments.
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 25: A model walks the runway during the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show as part of the Paris Haute Couture Week on January 25, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 25: A model walks the runway during the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show as part of the Paris Haute Couture Week on January 25, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 25: A model walks the runway during the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show as part of the Paris Haute Couture Week on January 25, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 25: A model walks the runway during the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show as part of the Paris Haute Couture Week on January 25, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 25: A model walks the runway during the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show as part of the Paris Haute Couture Week on January 25, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
