Listen to the article
“An homage to the extraordinary at the heart of the ordinary.” Such is the essence of Georges Chakra’s Spring-Summer 2024 fashion show. On January 23, 2024, his collection, imbued with dreamlike realism, transformed the American Cathedral in Paris, the quintessential fashion capital, into an artistic immersion.
The Spring-Summer 2024 couture show by Georges Chakra whisked guests away on a magic carpet woven from chic and harmonious threads, crafted by the hands of a magician. The warm reception by Georges Chakra’s team — both past and present — was remarkable. Like Chakra himself, those around him are welcoming and genuine. The designer maintains a grounded perspective: “As the Lebanese saying goes: meet me and don’t feed me. It shows that our presence is more important than what we can offer someone. Since people made the effort to attend the show, it’s a pleasure to host them,” he states.
The show unfolded in an atmosphere imbued with the tangible and the sacred, blending the mystical with bold statements. To the rhythm of music, vibrant colors caressed the swirling fabrics, breaking the majestic silence of the cathedral. The audience’s awed exclamations were punctuated by the confident steps and ethereal stride of the models.
A fashion show in a cathedral breaks norms and perhaps also makes a statement as the models stroll down the aisle to the sound of contemporary music. “The place is wonderful. The goal is to deviate from the usual indoor runway shows. Moreover, a fashion show in a cathedral, especially in Paris, is a conscious choice for a good cause,” asserts Georges Chakra. “I have always created architectural structures that are somewhat daring, belonging to the realms of chic and contemporary classic,” he adds. In his way, as an artist revering beauty, he contributes to “reviving” churches.
On angelic voices rhyming with vibrant notes, Georges Chakra’s models ventured down the cathedral’s aisles in a burst of charming and harmoniously toned elegance. A poignant moment from a talented Lebanese designer, maintaining an acute attention to detail and a taste for refinement with a touch of extravagance. An eye-catching detail was present throughout the show, subtly paired with pastel-colored dresses, “bearers of hope; colors of optimism and life,” sometimes adorned with tiny twinkling stars; the red high heels. At times, these were matched with fabric belts of the same color. Red, as Georges Chakra, who also wears red-framed glasses, says, “is a poignant reminder of where one comes from.” Red is for passion, blood, and rebellion. These same red shoes adorned the feet of a girl in a legend told by psychoanalyst Clarissa Pinkola Estés in her book ‘Women Who Run with the Wolves’. This red is indeed the symbol of the contemporary wild woman, who assertively and defiantly embraces her destiny. Georges Chakra’s show is an artistic oasis amidst the whirlwind of the world.
Marie-Christine Tayah
Instagram: @mariechristine.tayah
