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Ahoy, (German) sailor! This was the mantra at Chanel’s Metier D’Art show in Hamburg last week, with Karl paying homage to his native Germany by way of location and dress. For Lagerfeld, history persists to be the ultimate muse for his collections, and this time, it was the port town in which he was born. With this, a sartorial seafaring expedition ensued. Anchored in the ’60s naval culture of the town, Karl’s girls wore lofty peaked nautical caps, sailor collars and pants, buttons aplenty, and thigh-high boots – a nod to the lasses that leeched around the port smoking and drinking. However, it was the hair that was distinctly fishy in flavour; with the fishtail braid making an unexpected appearance.
As always, Chanel’s mane event came courtesy of Sam McKnight, and, as always, he rose to the swell of this Chanel affair. Intricate fishtail braids hung below tulle and tweed; wrapped in lofty ribbon or affixed with jewelled brooches.
Coined by McKnight as “Fishy Tales”, the only fish caught in this net were sparkling cabochon brooches and freshwater pearls suspended in jewelled barrettes (a wealthy yield, indeed). The prize catch? The double braid. Schoolgirl braids these were not, McKnight’s double fishtail braids were topped with woollen sailors caps and artful tulle. Hair was pulled tightly at the nape, and then braided with fishy flair all the way to the end, with loose wispy pieces left out to frame the face. There were also “nautical knots”, chunky, ropey double plaits which fell low and were wrapped in black ribbon and adorned with a big bow.
Don’t be a fish out of water, and keep the braid modern and grown-up (and not 2003); affix with chunky black ribbon or a gilded barrette and pair with a sophisticated set (think wide slacks and blouse), nothing too feminine or redolent of schoolyard hangs. When Chanel go fishing like this, we happily take the bait. Braid away.
