Chanel’s Cruise 2026 collection was unveiled on the shores of Lake Como in April and will be revived in Singapore on November 4, 2025. Chanel’s decision to re-stage its latest Cruise show in the Lion City was more than just a replica of a show, it was a reaffirmation of the brand’s cultural heritage and long-standing relationship with Southeast Asia.
Originally presented on April 29 at the opulent Villa d’Este, the Cruise 2026 collection was an exploration of high-gloss elegance – imagine the glamour of silver screen glamour meets the ethereal elegance of the Riviera.
Imagine Bardot by the lake, only reinterpreted through Chanel’s unique vision: raffia tweeds, sculptural evening gowns that shimmered like sunshine, flowing silks perfect for a seaside holiday, and just enough leather and monochrome tailoring to keep the Parisian vibe distinct.
The evening had a star-studded front row: Keira Knightley, Sofia Coppola and Lupita Nyong’o were among them. If the Singapore show’s reputation is any indication, the sequel is likely to be just as good, if not better.
As always, Chanel’s mystery is half its charm. The guest list remains a closely guarded secret, but speculation is already rife. Will K-pop queen Jennie, known as the “human Chanel,” make a surprise appearance?
Or will Park Seo-joon or Wang Yibo fly in for the evening? There are also rumours that Thai idols ALLY and Gemini will be in attendance, and even Kendrick Lamar – a guest appearance that is unexpected but not impossible, given the rapper’s recent announcement as the brand’s new ambassador and Chanel’s long history of working closely with creative talents in fashion, film and music around the world.
One thing is clear: there will be a host of Chanel brand ambassadors, Asia’s fashion elite and a host of tastemakers with front-row seats.
Bruno Pavlovsky, Chanel’s president of fashion, told The Straits Times that the brand decided to return to Singapore after hosting its Cruise collection there more than a decade ago. “Singapore is one of Chanel’s key cities,” he said. “We have a strong and loyal clientele that has been growing over the past 30 years. Singapore is an important hub for our development.”
Back in 2013, the late Karl Lagerfeld brought the brand’s Resort collection to the Loewen Cluster on Dempsey Hill, a lush patch of land that was once home to a nutmeg plantation.
Lagerfeld himself was in attendance, adding to the show’s historic significance. Now, more than a decade later, the brand is planning a return – but the exact location remains a mystery.
Chanel is known to choose more than just spaces; they create cinematic backdrops. The 2025 cruise in Hong Kong was a re-interpretation of the previous cruise in Marseille. Now, with Lake Como as its starting point, Singapore will be the next chapter in a story that blends geography, cultural heritage and fantasy.
Pavlovsky himself dropped a tantalizing hint: “We are in one of the most beautiful views of Lake Como. I leave you to guess what the view will be like in Singapore.” Will we see Chanel transform the Marina Bay Sands? Or will they choose a more intimate venue – perhaps a colonial villa or a stylish landmark overlooking the water?
Beyond the glamour of luxury, the re-interpretation of the Cruise 2026 collection highlights Chanel’s grander ambitions. Since 2010, Chanel has made the Cruise collection a precious journey like a passport, using fashion as a vehicle for cultural exchange and brand image.
From Havana to Seoul, Monte Carlo to Los Angeles, each location was chosen not only for its scenery, but also for its fit with the Chanel brand narrative. And Singapore, with its blend of tradition, innovation and a deep-rooted luxury clientele, was a natural choice.
As November approaches, all eyes will be on Chanel – not just to revisit those classics, but to see how the fashion house reinterprets them through the lens of another scene. Because if there is one thing Chanel does best, it is this: making fashion seem fleeting and making the moment eternal.