If there’s one fashion brand that makes my heart beat a little faster, it’s Chanel—and I don’t think I’m alone here. If I’m being honest, one of my favorite things about fashion is the sense of fantasy and escape woven into it—and no one masters that better than Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel. With opulent sets staged at the Grand Palais or far-flung locations around the world like Cuba, Salzburg, or Tokyo, you’re immediately transported into another world of his own design—and that’s all before the models come walking down the runway. Recently, I even had the chance to attend a Chanel runway show (hello, lifelong dream) and can attest to the magic of it all.
But the real breathtaking moments happen once the gowns are unearthed from backstage. Whether they’re finished with layer upon layer of tulle and lace or covered with delicate ostrich feathers or even hand-beaded for upward of 400 hours, these pieces are truly works of art. So if you want to escape into a fashion dreamworld, allow us to introduce you to the 31 most beautiful Chanel dresses we’ve ever seen—because we all need a little fashion magic in our lives.
Chanel F/W 2001 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2003
Chanel S/S 2005 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2006 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2007 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2007 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2007 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2008 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2008 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2008 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2009 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2010 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2011 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2011 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2013 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2013 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2013 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2014 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2014 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2014 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2015 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2015 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2015 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2015 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2016 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2017 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2017 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2017 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2017 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2018 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2018 Haute Couture
Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be waiting patiently to see what happens at the next Chanel couture show.