Hollywood has arrived in Havana! The Cuban capital has been transformed into a fashion runway as famous personalities and models attend Chanel’s street show. Previously, Barack Obama and The Rolling Stones had visited Cuba, and now the fashion world’s glitterati has descended on Havana for the Chanel show, making it the first major fashion house to showcase its models on the Communist-ruled island, highlighting warming relations with the West. Wealthy fashionistas and celebrities from around the world gathered beneath the spotlights on a grand Havana colonial avenue turned into a private runway on Wednesday night, with supermodel Gisele Bundchen and actor Vin Diesel also in attendance.
Prioritizing fashion: Chanel made history as the first prominent fashion house to showcase models on the catwalk in Cuba last Wednesday evening.
Currently trending: Karl Lagerfeld, who has been the creative director of Chanel since 1983, recently revealed that his latest inter-seasonal Cruise collection draws inspiration from the cultural wealth and newfound openness of Cuba.
Vin Diesel was warmly welcomed by the crowds in Havana before the Chanel show. Despite hundreds of security agents holding ordinary Cubans behind police lines blocks away, Gisele Bundchen joined Tilda Swinton, as well as Cuban music stars Gente de Zona and Omaro Portuondo to watch models sashay down Prado Boulevard in casual summer clothes inspired by the Art Deco elegance of pre-revolutionary Cuba. Chanel Fashion Chief Bruno Pavlovsky told Reuters that the label was uncertain at first if it could hold the show, but said Cuban authorities had been welcoming and helpful. However, as police swarmed the area in the hours before the show, virtually all residents of the capital were swept behind yellow barricades and unbroken lines of uniformed and plainclothes police at least a block away.
Our special guest for the upcoming fashion show is Antonio Castro, an up-and-coming model and grandson of former president Fidel Castro. He was spotted prior to the event.
Strike a pose! Fans eagerly await the appearance of Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who poses before a fashion show by Karl Lagerfeld as part of his latest inter-seasonal Cruise collection for Chanel.
Karl Lagerfeld was spotted walking with his godson, Hudson, on the streets of Havana after a show at the Paseo del Prado. The Havana nights seem to have been treating them well.
Designer Karl Lagerfeld takes photos with his longtime collaborator, model Brad Kroenig’s son, Hudson. The adorable youngster is following in his father’s footsteps and has already become a darling in the fashion world. Lagerfeld’s admiration for the Kroenig family is evident as he poses with the young up-and-comer.
Exiting with Flair: Individuals exit the event in a stylish manner, on the Paseo del Prado street in Havana, Cuba, riding in a classic American convertible.
It’s time to party! Models showed off their moves after the debut of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s latest “cruise” line for the iconic fashion house Chanel.
Party time: Models from the show groove to the beat of ‘congo’ after Chanel’s debut presentation in Latin America.
The debut of Chanel’s 2016/2017 ‘cruise’ collection showcased an astonishing visual in a nation that professes dedication to social equality and the rejection of material wealth. It was truly a spectacle to behold.
Models strut down the Prado boulevard in casual summer attire, taking inspiration from the Art Deco elegance of pre-revolutionary Cuba during a cruise.
The latest manifestation of Cuba’s rising prominence in the international art and cultural scene was showcased in an extreme way during the recent event. This event marked a significant milestone since Cuba’s declaration of détente with the United States in December 2014.
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A magnificent avenue in Havana, once a colonial landmark, was transformed into a private runway for the French fashion house on Wednesday night. Reynaldo Fonseca, a local model, stood with a group of friends who are also trying to make their mark in the fashion industry and watched as wealthy foreigners with invitations arrived at the event in vintage American sedans that were specially rented for the show.
Fonseca expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s a shame they don’t let us pass.” The fashion show was the most extravagant manifestation to date of the new status that Cuba has acquired in the international art and cultural scene since the declaration of detente with the United States in December 2014.
Former Cold War enemies, the U.S. and Cuba formally agreed to restore diplomatic relations last July. Since then, Cuba has improved its relations with other western nations.
The fashion industry’s elites arrived in Havana to attend Chanel’s show, and among them was the famous supermodel Gisele Bundchen.
Greetings Cuba! Bundchen shared a picture of a park in Havana’s downtown on her Instagram account, which garnered approximately 113,000 likes.
Excitement abounds as many Cubans express their delight over their country’s decision to open up to the world, providing ordinary citizens with a rare opportunity to witness celebrities and extravagant productions firsthand.
Critics argue that the recent Chanel fashion show serves as a stark reminder of the new inequalities present in Communist-ruled Cuba, where Chanel goods are not available for sale and most locals cannot even dream of affording them due to their exorbitant prices. Despite President Barack Obama’s visit in March, the Rolling Stones’ performance, and the first U.S. cruise in nearly four decades docking recently, many Cubans are disillusioned with their country’s failure to deliver on promises of socialist equality. The lavish display of wealth on the streets of Havana only exacerbates this feeling. Although some Cubans are excited about their country opening up to the world and being able to witness firsthand extravagant productions and celebrities, the heart of the Cuban capital is effectively privatized by international corporations under the watchful eye of the state, marking a troubling departure from Cuba’s official dedication to social equality and rejection of material wealth. In short, the exclusive Chanel show highlights the new inequalities present in Communist-ruled Cuba.
In Cuba, the local law enforcement officers were on guard around the venue where the fashion show of the renowned French fashion house, Chanel, took place. Their presence ensured the safety and security of the event.
Avoided: Individuals eagerly await the chance to catch a glimpse of models and celebrities who are in the city to attend a Chanel fashion show.
Witnessing the Show: Cubans Strive to Observe the Channel Performance at Prado Promenade in Havana, Cuba, from the Balconies.
Cuba is quickly becoming one of the world’s most fashionable destinations, as tourists and style elites seek to experience faded glamour and Caribbean flair before it changes too much. However, some Cubans are critical of this trend, as Chanel goods are not sold in Cuba and most locals could not even dream of affording them, given that even a small handbag costs thousands of dollars. About 70% of Cuban workers work for the state with an average salary of $25 per month. Pavelovsky said it was too early for Chanel, which has fewer than 200 boutiques worldwide, to set up shop in Cuba. Some people think that the show is giving their dreams wings to fly. Marilia Veliz, a 44-year-old accountant and fashion lover, who had sewn details like a satin bow onto her brown and cream work uniform, said that just because she can’t afford it doesn’t mean she wants to deny others that luxury. And who knows, maybe one day. It’s important to dream.
Karl Lagerfeld, a renowned German designer, concluded the fashion house’s first catwalk in Latin America by walking down the runway in Havana.
French singer Vanessa Paradis was spotted walking towards a vintage car to attend Chanel’s fashion show in the Paseo del Prado. Meanwhile, radio announcer Mabel Fernandez arrived four hours before the show with her 14-year-old daughter eager to experience the world of international fashion that she had only seen on TV and in movies. According to Fernandez, events like this are necessary to broaden people’s cultural knowledge. Cuba has quickly become one of the world’s most fashionable destinations as tourists and style elites seek to indulge in faded glamour and Caribbean flair before it changes too much. Even supermodel Gisele Bundchen took notice, posting a photo of a Havana downtown park on her Instagram account with the caption “Hola Cuba!” By showcasing their Cruise collection in Cuba, Chanel said they were referring back to the roots of the line originally designed for wealthy Americans holidaying on yachts and cruises in the Caribbean to escape the winter grey.
Vin Diesel made an appearance at the event, which showcased the latest installment of the highly successful ‘Fast and Furious’ movie franchise. This multibillion-dollar action movie series has him playing a major role and is currently filming in Cuba. Love was definitely in the air at the show!
Actor Vin Diesel was welcomed by fans in Cuba as he emerged from a vintage car to attend the Chanel fashion show. US cruises to Cuba were previously prohibited during the country’s standoff with the United States, but on Monday, the first US cruise ship arrived on the island since Fidel Castro’s revolution. The show, prepared by famed designer Karl Lagerfeld, took place in the Paseo del Prado, a leafy promenade lined with ornate street lamps and bronze lions that leads down to the Caribbean seashore. The colonial colonnades and elegant Art Deco buildings on either side of the boulevard, built during Cuba’s golden era when it was a wealthy port, are now in various states of disrepair although some are being renovated. Chanel, founded by Coco Chanel in 1909, is privately-owned and is one of the world’s most recognized labels and the second biggest luxury brand behind LVMH’s Louis Vuitton.