Chanel embraces motherhood: first-time model walks resort show with a bump
Matthieu Blazy’s debut Chanel resort collection just got a whole lot more real.
A bold statement on the runway
Jersey-born model Kaya Wilkins, a first-time mother, stunned attendees at Chanel’s Biarritz runway show this afternoon, confidently sporting a black-and-white tweed suit while visibly carrying her second-trimester bump. The move, orchestrated by creative director Matthieu Blazy, represents a significant shift for the brand – and a welcome dose of relatable authenticity.
Wilkins, who received the invitation just a few days prior, admitted to being “quite surprised” by the offer, explaining she was five months pregnant at the time. “Matthieu and Anita [Bitton], the casting director, were looking for someone pregnant, so I was quite lucky to have a little bump on me,” she told Vogue. The experience, she emphasized, was overwhelmingly positive – fueled, in part, by surprisingly decadent backstage catering.
Beyond the aesthetics: a heritage nod
But the collection itself wasn’t merely a publicity stunt. Blazy’s vision, rooted deeply in Chanel’s storied archives, subtly incorporated elements designed to accommodate motherhood. A classic tweed suit, a knit bra, high-waisted bikini pants, and even red hot chili pepper earrings – all required minimal alterations to gracefully embrace Wilkins’ growing form. The styling, complete with adorable children’s shoes strapped to the chain of a miniature bag, further solidified this playful, familial narrative.
The show’s location held particular significance, taking place in the very spot where Coco Chanel first established her Haute Couture boutique over a century ago. Blazy’s decision to stage the collection there felt less like a trend and more like a deliberate homage to the brand’s origins – a homecoming, of sorts. The collection itself continued the established aesthetic, drawing heavily on archived designs with a signature Blazy twist, a kooky, crafty modern remix.
Comfort and confidence
“Oh god, it was amazing,” Wilkins stated, describing the experience. “I’m not galumphing around with my bump out, so it was cool—it felt quite freeing to have my flowing hair and the bump.” She added, with refreshing honesty, that her personal style currently revolved around her last two pairs of trousers. “I’m really appreciating a classic tweed from Blazy’s Chanel right now; it’s a welcome change – the gothic coastal bride is still my favorite look.”
A moment for the ages
A$AP Rocky was spotted in the audience, posing with his own distressed pink flap bag and miniature shoes, signaling a broader trend of celebrity embracing this unconventional, yet undeniably chic, shift. This isn't just a runway moment; it’s a quiet rebellion against the relentless pursuit of an unattainable, perpetually youthful ideal. Chanel, under Blazy’s direction, is demonstrating that beauty, and perhaps even luxury, can coexist with the realities of life – and motherhood.