appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Annie Brown

Of all the beauty to be found in Matthieu Blazy’s axis-tilting debut for Chanel during Paris Fashion Week in October, the collaboration with the Place Vendôme shirtmakers Charvet was quite possibly the most resonant.
For what better way to breathe new life into Chanel while staying true to its essential house codes and eternal origin story, than by looking to the wardrobe of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel herself?
Chanel was a regular customer of Charvet, which opened its doors in 1838. So too was her lover Arthur “Boy” Capel, from whom Chanel borrowed much of her wardrobe – toying with a shrugged-on boyish insouciance. The brand – which can tailor entirely customised shirts – has long been a fashion insider favourite worn by everybody from Sofia Coppola to Kate Moss and King Charles.

The Charvet shirts on October’s runway – chic and boxy in three colours, including a salmon and pinstripe with the brand’s cursive logo on the front, and worn with sculptural skirts – featured the hemline chain that is a signature of Chanel jackets and that makes them hang just so. The arrival of new house ambassador Nicole Kidman in one of the shirts, a white button-down worn with denim, was further proof that they have never felt more relevant – or indeed more suited to the party season.
Rebecca Vallance, founder and creative director of her eponymous label, is a fan of a button-down shirt when dressing up.
“There’s something effortlessly seductive about a crisp white shirt after dark. When styled for the evening, it feels incredibly modern and confident,” she says. “I love pairing it with a sharp tailored trouser for contrast, or chic denim and heels. The perfect button-down should have beautiful structure, luxurious fabric and just enough softness to move with you. I like the balance of structure and ease to make it feel timeless.”

Maggie Hewitt of the New Zealand fashion label Maggie Marilyn agrees. She was smitten with Blazy’s debut too.
“Foundational wardrobe pieces, like a great white shirt, are what anchor an outfit and extend the longevity of a person’s wardrobe; but pairing them with something unexpected, feminine, or playful – like Blazy did with the Charvet shirts with those incredible skirts – is how you showcase your personal style. It adds charisma to an outfit,” she says.
The combination of a button-down shirt and statement, super fancy skirt has long been a reference in fashion. Think Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in that white shirt and black Yohji Yamamoto skirt – the ultimate exercise in meaningful minimalism – Sharon Stone in a Gap button-down and purple taffeta Vera Wang skirt at the 1998 Oscars, and Carolina Herrera, always.

Stone’s look was especially and personally resonant for Sydney-based stylist Ilkin Kurt.
“My earliest memory of button-down shirts as evening wear is my mother and Sharon Stone. At the 1998 Oscars red carpet, [Stone] was wearing this long Vera Wang skirt with a crisp white shirt – later I found out it was her husband’s shirt. I was 14 years old and I vividly remember how elegant she looked,” says Kurt. “My mum copied the look for a wedding reception with a long black velvet skirt. And still her look is one of my favourite combinations till this day,” she says.
Kurt, who says shirts have always been able to make you look super boss, super chic or super sexy (or indeed all three things at once) says shirts have long been a staple of her own wardrobe.
She believes there is a formula to getting it right, though.

“The trick is, make sure your shirt doesn’t have pockets, [and it’s]not too slim or not too oversized. Also, keep the bottom fabric contrasting with your shirt. Velvet, silk, wool and embellishment would look perfect,” she says.
Shirts were a mainstay across several collections this season – from sharp blue versions worn with ties at Celine to sleeveless ones worn under preppy vests at Miu Miu and pleated silk cobalt numbers at Valentino with blouson sleeves. Kurt says the slew of shirts on the runways, styled in so many different ways, was a potent reminder of their versatility, especially for when the sun goes down.
“This season we have seen that shirts are not only for your business meetings,” she says. “From Blazy’s Chanel to [Sarah] Burton’s Givenchy, your investment shirt can shine anytime. I love wearing silk shirts – in particular black or cream – with a great pair of pants for Tom Ford era Gucci vibes, or tailored knee-length skirts in leather or light wool. It always feels comfortable, safe and simply chic. Crisp cotton shirts with a twist like Viktor & Rolf or Alaïa are the cherry on the top for an evening look.”


Style Edit: Chow Tai Fook’s Song collection gives the Chinese drum a golden update

Style Edit: Zegna’s new Hong Kong store at Harbour City embodies an Alpine-inspired retail vision

Style Edit: 45R marks 20 years in Ginza with new 4-storey flagship store

Forget colour analysis – how colour pyramids can help you dress your best

Fashion

A crisp white shirt as eveningwear, from Chanel at Paris Fashion Week to Anne Hathaway

A simple shirt features front and centre at Matthieu Blazy’s spring/summer 2026 women’s ready-to-wear collection show for Chanel during Paris Fashion Week in October. Photo: Xinhua

Rebecca Vallance shirt from Net-a-Porter. Photo: Handout

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy at the Whitney Museum of American Art Annual fundraising gala, in 1999. Photo: Getty Images

Sharon Stone and her then husband Phil Bronstein at the 70th Academy Awards in 1998. Photo: Shutterstock

Anne Hathaway at the 2025 Met Gala in May. Photo: AFP

Who was at the Brunello Cucinelli film premiere, from Jonathan Bailey to Italian PM Giorgia Meloni

Brunello Cucinelli and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Thursday premiere of Brunello, Il Visionario Garbato, in Rome. Photo: WireImage

English actor Jonathan Bailey at the premiere of Brunello, Il Visionario Garbato, in Rome. Photo: WireImage

American actor Chris Pine, also at the premiere, is frequently spotted wearing Brunello Cucinelli. Photo: WireImage

K-pop singer Jinyoung at the Brunello Cucinelli film premiere. Photo: WireImage

American actress Jessica Chastain was also in attendance. Photo: Getty Images

Camilla and Carolina Cucinelli, Brunello Cucinelli’s daughters, at the premiere of Brunello, Il Visionario Garbato, in Rome. Photo: WireImage

Meet Awar Odhiang, the model who just went viral after Chanel’s Paris Fashion Week show

Model Awar Odhiang on the runway for Matthieu Blazy’s spring/summer 2026 women’s ready-to-wear collection show for Chanel during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, on October 6. Photo: Reuters

South Sudanese and Canadian model Awar Odhiang is one to watch. Photo: AFP

Awar Odhiang is a natural on the runway. Photo: AFP

Awar Odhiang has gone viral for her runway moment with Chanel. Photo: AFP

Meet Grace Wales Bonner, who’s made history by being named Hermès’ new creative director of menswear

English-Jamaican designer Grace Wales Bonner has made history by being named Hermès’ new creative director of menswear. Photo: Malick Bodian

British designer Grace Wales Bonner’s appointment at Hermès is a major landmark for the fashion industry. Photo: @walesbonner/Instagram

Grace Wales Bonner has been identified as both “Black” and “white”. Photo: @walesbonner/Instagram

Grace Wales Bonner launched her eponymous label at the tender age of 24. Photo: @walesbonner/Instagram

Grace Wales Bonner draws inspiration from the Black diaspora. Photo: @walesbonner/Instagram

Lewis Hamilton is among the celebrities who Grace Wales Bonner has dressed. Photo: @walesbonner/Instagram

Grace Wales Bonner’s first menswear collection for Hermès is set to debut in January 2027. Photo: @walesbonner/Instagram

Sanae Takaichi’s ‘Iron Lady’ style: how Japan’s new prime minister takes fashion cues from Margaret Thatcher

US president Donald Trump and Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi in a meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday. Photo: Getty Images

Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi at the premier’s office in Tokyo after she was elected as the country’s first female leader. Photo: Kyodo

Sanae Takaichi sees Margaret Thatcher as a role model. Photo: Kyodo

Sanae Takaichi in the Liberal Democratic Party leader’s chair. Photo: Kyodo

Sanae Takaichi heading to the Imperial Palace to participate in a formal appointment ceremony. Photo: AP

Sanae Takaichi in 2024. Photo: Getty Images 

Sanae Takaichi in a floor-length dress in 2019. Photo: Getty Images

The roots of Italian quiet luxury, from Aspesi to Fedeli and Barena

Laid-back luxury from Barena Venezia’s autumn/winter 2025 collection. Photo: Handout

Daniel Craig as James Bond in Massimo Alba. Photo: Handout

Massimo Alba Monster blazer at Mr Porter. Photo: Handout

Aspesi Ernest virgin wool and alpaca coat. Photo: Handout

Barena Venezia autumn/winter 2025. Photo: Handout

Slowear loose-fit leather suede overshirt at Mr Porter. Photo: Handout

Fedeli Cortina cashmere knit bomber. Photo: Handout

Massimo Alba autumn/winter 2025. Photo: Handout

Magazines

Style

Trends

Matthieu Blazy set up a collab with shirtmakers Charvet for his debut at Chanel, while Celine, Miu Miu and Valentino all also showed the versatility of the humble piece


Matthieu Blazy set up a collab with shirtmakers Charvet for his debut at Chanel, while Celine, Miu Miu and Valentino all also showed the versatility of the humble piece.


A crisp white shirt as eveningwear, from Chanel at Paris Fashion Week to Anne Hathaway

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Matthieu Blazy set up a collab with shirtmakers Charvet for his debut at Chanel, while Celine, Miu Miu and Valentino all also showed the versatility of the humble piece

Matthieu Blazy set up a collab with shirtmakers Charvet for his debut at Chanel, while Celine, Miu Miu and Valentino all also showed the versatility of the humble piece