Shanghai is known as the “Paris of East” so what better place for Karl Lagerfeld to have shown Chanel’s Pre-Fall 2010 collection. The collection was titled “Paris Shanghai” and was an ode to 1930s Shanghai and the opulence of its imperial court. The collection was a beautiful departure from Chanel’s traditional black and white backdrop with splashes of bright reds and purples.

The collection oozed luxury and femininity. Beautiful dresses were frequent in the collection in form-fitting silhouettes and beautiful fabrics from Chanel’s signature tweed to printed silks. Coats were ravishing with out-of-this-world detailing from armored sleeves befitting a samurai to monogram Chanel Cs. The accessories were stunning from cascading beaded necklaces, long statement earrings, Chanel’s signature brooches, and thigh-high boots with zipper detailing.

The hair and makeup for the collection were completely elegant. Bouffants were the hairstyles of the day adding to the feeling of luxury and old world glamour. Eyebrows were thick and exaggerated and the eyes were accentuated with black eyeliner to truly give the feeling of Chinese aristocracy.

Chanel’s Pre-Fall 2010 Collection is one that will go down in history and shows an appreciation for the Shanghai of times past. More highlights from the collection below (Images courtesy of WWD).