Cold wind chilled the air at the Grand Palais; Chanel’s Prêt-à-Porter Fall/winter 2010 collection was Karl Lagerfeld’s ode to global warming. Giant chunks of bona fide iceberg, (specially transported from Scandinavia) formed the wintery landscape around which models solemnly strutted through a water logged runway in yeti boots with ice-block heels.

The core palette of the collection was white and tints and tones of black and brown. Red, powder blue and hints of translucent silver (the Chanel logo on the bags) acted as colour accents.

Literal arctic ensembles like shaggy boots, voluminous trapeze capes (imitating the shape of an igloo), full-length polar bear coats, bonnets and furry trousers eventually gave way to more classic Chanel looks such as tweeds suits interwoven and fringed with fur, leather jackets with fur pelmets, blanket coats and boxy blouses both for men and women; Even the classic quilted sling bag saw a frozen twist. The silhouettes’ mainly consisted of high low cocktail dresses, A-line coats, sheaths and shifts. The knits were extravagantly sculpted almost to a couture level of detail.

Other looks included embroidered sheer shift dresses, tiered skirts with icicle gems, tassel trimmed roll neck dresses, and ombre sweater dresses in white and powder blue. Towards the latter half of the show,  the rug was pulled out from under the audience to reveal a completely different (yet cohesive) and mesmerizing look, the winter bride; a tone on tone, white, Crystal-edged chiffon dress complete with an ice-block purse on a fur-woven Chanel chain.

Ice and clear gem jewellery created intensely worked beaded silhouettes that glinted with rock-crystal neckpieces and chunky rings. Wooden toggle buttons, ribbon bows, sequin and embellished ties for women provided the many varied layers to the collection. The eye makeup was strong and the hair conspired to give the look of a polar animal’s fur coat.