This month my new designer spotlight is on Chanel Joan Elkayam. Now, I’ve been a huge fan of Chanel since I went to her London Fashion Week show last year (here) and I haven’t been able to stop talking about her design and eye for detail since! I was super sad, actually lets rephrase that. I was absolutely gutted to have been invited but unable to attend her AW18 Milan Fashion Show, but I’ve kept a close eye on what’s next to come from one of my favourite designers.
“Chanel is my designer to watch out for. Her designs, her vision, her eye for detail is what makes her a stand out fashion designer at such a young age. I am in awe of her endless talent”
Starting as a young designer from just the age of 16 and she just keeps getting better. She’s the youngest person to have been shown at four major fashion show weeks and that’s an achievement in itself. And yet Chanel is still studying at the school of Central Saint Martins (where the likes of Matthew Williamson have also studied). So, how does she do it? Chanel showcased her AW18 collection, named “Nonna” in Milan, which was inspired by Elkayam’s grandmother who fled Tripoli during the 1940s. The collection itself — like Chanel — oozed complete sophistication with the toughness of Swarovski crystals embellished in her design to give the look a modern day edge.
Like her collection showcased at last year’s London fashion week there were key tailored pieces with white shirts and pleated trousers which had the drool worthy details I love to see at fashion shows. Chanel showcased a lot of wide leg trousers which showed just how this designer is experimenting with different shapes and style that highlight the female form.As well as business wear there was also a focus on what Chanel does best: elegant dresses. These were spectacular with every detail carefully curated; they dazzled down the runway adding drama and texture, especially with the exaggerated gold sparkly trousers which were my absolute favourite from the show! You could easily wear this now and it oozes the 90s vibe that everyone seems to be taking note of.
I am in absolute awe of Chanel’s endless talents and super excited to see what she does next!
You can follow Chanel’s journey on her social network- Instagram and www.chaneljoanelkayam.com
Photo credit: Chanel Joan Elkayam Press Team
