Paris Fashion Week: Sigourney Weaver, Taraji P. Henson and Leslie Mann among the front-row stars of the Chanel show

Taraji P. Henson was thrilled to watch her first show at Paris Fashion Week, and the fact that it was Chanel Haute Couture was definitely the icing on the cake.

“My stylist, Jason [Rembert]It tells me that I have more Chanel than any client I know, but I also feel very grateful,” said the Oscar-nominated actor and producer. “I’m an artist, so I live for things like that. I’m always interested in who does the work.”

Chanel’s couture presentation on July 5 at L’Étrier de Paris, an equestrian center on the outskirts of the city, turned out to be the perfect place for Henson to get his first look at artisanal fashion. Seating was limited to three rows in either direction, providing an audience packed with celebrities: Henson joined Leslie Mann, Sigourney Weaver and Clemens Poesy for the morning performance, and Keira Knightley, Marion. Cotillard, Lucy Boynton and Maggie Gyllenhaal participated in the afternoon screening.

From a tweed bouclé accent and gorgeous buttons that flowed seductively down the backs of black chiffon dresses, to lace-up cowboy boots and wide-brimmed hats, Art Director Virgin Viar’s latest collection has run the gamut. The collection also focused on tailoring, a delight for Rembert, who sat right behind Henson and also counts Mary J. Con Blige, Issa Rae and Lizo among her clients.

“As celebrity stylists, we tend to adapt looks that work in real life, not just on a model’s body,” she explained. “I see a show like this when I think of the Emmy Awards or [film festivals in] Venice or Toronto and these are the silhouettes that will work on the talent’s body. Virgin really relied on their strong suits such as tailoring but also fabrication and embroidery. I also loved the jewel buttons on the back of the dress. For me, this is one of the best collections I’ve seen in a long time. “

Viard has cited a variety of references to this season’s couture, from the 1988 image of Inès de la Fresange to Fred Astaire and Annie Oakley, as the closest thing to an explanation for why cowboy boots and hats don’t look wild. West. They were also the first two details mentioned by front-row stars. “I thought they were just brilliant and I loved bringing them to the Western world,” Poesy said. “There was also timelessness and freedom in the clothes: you felt like you could move and feel free, and of course that’s it. [Coco Chanel] He did, didn’t he?”

The collection balanced a mix of tweed and chiffon in silhouettes that ranged from flared-skirted suits to ruffled dresses with a mermaid skirt accent (best for mastering Aster’s dance moves). Graphic prints are also important, from a dress on steroids to a long dress with black and white stripes on the shoulders, a look that also exuded confidence for Viard, as he felt it was a modern update of something Mademoiselle. Chanel. It was designed in the 1930s.

“It was incredibly beautiful,” he said of the collection. “I feel like I can wear any outfit; A mix of fabrics, silk with sequins and of course cowboy boots with big hats. It was inspiring, but it was also just plain fun, and we could all use a little fun in our lives right now. “

Sigourney Weaver, who regularly attends Chanel shows with her friend, costume designer Catherine Leterrier, whose work includes the 2009 show Coco Chanel – agreed. “I find it very exciting to see the glow now; “When I come to a French fashion show, I feel like I’m reaching the heart of France,” he said. “Fashion is a great celebration of life, the art of life, the love of life, and that always inspires me.”

Sitting nearby, Letterier, Weaver noted that while he enjoys seeing handwork up close and personal, more practical items could soon be replaced. “I don’t usually go in as someone shopping or looking for clothes, but there are five things that are coming out soon,” said the actor, whose upcoming projects include projects in October. call jane And December is long awaited Avatar: The Way of Water. “I have to look for clothes, but I’ll think about that later. Now I find it inspiring. “