Cover Chanel Cruise Replica 2025/26 Singapore took place at the iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore (Photo: Courtesy of Chanel)
Chanel Cruise Replica 2025/26 Singapore took place at the iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore (Photo: Courtesy of Chanel)
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Chanel Cruise Replica 2025/26 took to Singapore’s shores for an evening of pure glittering magic
“It's a love affair,” Bruno Pavlovsky, Chanel’s president of fashion said, smiling, just minutes before the Chanel Cruise Replica 2025/26 show in Singapore. We were tucked away in a quiet room at the Raffles Hotel Singapore, while below, hundreds of guests, celebrities and friends of the maison were streaming into the hotel. Tilda Swinton was there, glowing ethereally in a gold suit that we would see later on the runway; Rebecca Armstrong, accompanied by the screams of fans across the street.
Upstairs, Pavlovsky was holding forth on the question of the day: Why had the Chanel Cruise Replica show come to Singapore, after a magical showing at Villa d’Este in Lake Como in May? The Cruise 2025/26 collection, helmed by The Creation Studio at Chanel, was inspired by the joys of travel. The collection captures that unique magic of holiday ease and glamour, of your quotidian worries falling away as you step out into the warm summer evening air (wearing something fabulous, of course). Of course, what destination could encapsulate that better than Lake Como?
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Above When Chanel was looking for legendary hotels in the region, the Raffles Hotel Singapore was the obvious choice (Photo: Raffles Hotel Singapore)
When Chanel was looking for legendary hotels in the region, the Raffles Hotel Singapore was the obvious choice (Photo: Raffles Hotel Singapore)
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“Villa d'Este is one of the most legendary hotels in the world,” Pavlovsky said. “We were thinking about what other legendary hotel we can have in this world, and this one [Raffles Hotel Singapore] was obviously for us something amazing. We felt that what happened in Villa d’Este could have happened here in the Raffles. The collection fits with this idea of lights, with the idea of cinema. Singapore has become one of the key cities for Chanel but this decision was nothing to do with all the rational business reasons. It’s because I feel as comfortable here as when we were at Villa d'Este.”
Above Raffles Hotel Singapore
Raffles Hotel Singapore
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Because while ‘Replica’ may be in the event name itself, the Singapore show was not simply a re-run of the Lake Como show. There was no plug-and-play element to this—every aspect of the show was tailored to the iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore, to the cultural quirks and niceties of the region. “We took a lot of freedom also to rework the collection and to twist a little bit the stylism, to fit even stronger with what happened here in Singapore,” Pavlovsky said. “That’s the reason why we love to have strong local teams. Because I’m not from Singapore. I’m not from Bangkok. I’m not from Hong Kong. For me, it’s super important to be able to be ready to listen to the different markets. Each market has to be specific—the way to engage the culture, the education, the way to connect with the luxury item.”
Above Shimmering lamé in pink and orange
Above Openwork lace and breezy resort pieces
Shimmering lamé in pink and orange
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At Raffles, models walked the length and breadth of the grounds, winding their way down lamplit corridors, across gleaming marble floors, down the grand staircase. In the warm Singapore evening air, it was truly a vision brought to glimmering life. Here were lightweight tweed suits that could go from airport lounge to cocktail bar in the time it takes to hail a cab; shimmering lamé in pink and orange; openwork lace two-pieces; evening looks sparkling with sequins and beads, the type that transport you immediately and completely out of your everyday life straight into the scene of a novel.
Above Raye performed a four-song set, barefoot of course
Raye performed a four-song set, barefoot of course
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A jaunty silk scarf tied around your head or wrist; a tiny jewelled minaudière with room enough for a single lipstick; a boldly striped suit in shades of gold. Your everyday self might not dare—but your holiday self definitely would, and it’s that moment of joyful confidence and daring that Chanel have traded on for the Cruise collection. And joyful confidence is incarnate in Raye who took to the stage, barefoot, to serenade the crowd with a stripped-back set of songs including, of course, Where Is My Husband!
Above Classic Chanel tweed with a jaunty headscarf
Above Malaysian model Suganya walked the show
Classic Chanel tweed with a jaunty headscarf
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It was a glittering evening that made perfect sense—the venue, an iconic institution that has been in the business of holiday glamour for centuries. The guests, international and regional celebrities and customers. The models, a beautiful mix of faces from around the world and region, including our very own Suganya. The fashion—while ostensibly the whole point of gathering hundreds of people for one night, became a seamless part of a magical evening. Raye, crooning in a flounced black dress; Tilda Swinton applauding her from the audience. As Bruno Pavlovsky told us, “This is the dream become real.”
Emma Chong is the Managing Editor of Tatler Malaysia, overseeing the editorial direction and vision for the print, digital and social media arms of the title. She has over 15 years experience in fashion and lifestyle publishing, and has led print and digital editorial teams at ELLE Malaysia, Time Out Kuala Lumpur, The Luxe Nomad and more.
Outside of work, Emma spends her time wrangling children (only her own) and boosting the Malaysian economy through her support of local fashion and homeware brands.
