In the world of high fashion, Chanel is one of the most prestigious and iconic brands, known for its elegant designs and glamorous runway shows. However, during one of its shows, an unexpected incident occurred when a woman jumped onto the catwalk, creating quite a stir.
The Incident
During Paris Fashion Week in 2019, at Chanel’s show, a woman named Marie Benoliel, who goes by the stage name Marie S’Infilte, managed to make her way onto the catwalk. She was wearing a houndstooth tweed suit that her mother had purchased in 1986 with her first salary, as Benoliel mentioned in an interview. This suit fit in quite well with the aesthetic of the Chanel show, which has long featured tweed suits as a staple of its runway looks.
Marie Benoliel’s Background
Marie Benoliel is a 28-year-old professional who is known for her stunts and pranks. She is a French YouTuber with 227,000 subscribers on her channel, where she posts content that often satirizes French culture and society. Her work is somewhat of a social experiment, and she is not new to crashing events. In fact, before the Chanel incident, she had crashed the stage of a show by Etam, a French lingerie line, during the same Paris Fashion Week.
Her Motive
Benoliel’s intention behind crashing the Chanel runway was not to cause harm or disruption in a malicious way but rather to have fun and make a point about the fashion industry. She believes that fashion should be more about joy and fun rather than being overly serious and pretentious. In her view, it has become too much of an exclusive and sometimes stuffy world, and she wanted to inject a bit of lightheartedness into it. She saw an opportunity to take part in the grandeur of the Chanel show, which she considers to be an eternal and important part of the fashion landscape, even if just for a few minutes.
The Reaction
For a moment, there was some confusion as her houndstooth suit made it difficult for security guards to immediately identify her as an impostor. However, model Gigi Hadid quickly noticed her and stepped in to pull her aside and lead her offstage. Hadid’s actions were swift and decisive, and the moment was captured by many cameras and quickly went viral on social media.
Public Response
The public response to this incident was mixed. Some people thought it was a fun and daring move by Benoliel, while others criticized her for disrespecting the hard work of the designers, models, and everyone involved in putting on the show. On social media, there were comments both in support of and against her actions. Some praised her for her courage to do something so unconventional, while others felt that she had crossed a line and ruined the sanctity of the runway.
Significance of the Incident
This incident at the Chanel fashion show brings to light several interesting aspects of the fashion industry and its relationship with the public and media. It shows that in today’s age of social media and instant sharing, even an unplanned and unauthorized moment on the runway can gain significant attention and start a widespread conversation. It also challenges the traditional notions of who belongs on the catwalk and what is considered acceptable behavior during a fashion show.
The Act
Benoliel managed to get into the show without an invitation by waiting until it was extremely busy and acting stressed out when approaching the gatekeepers. She was turned away three times but persisted and finally got in along with a friend. Once inside, she waited until the end of the show seemed imminent before making her move. She walked slowly to the front and then made a dash to climb up onto the catwalk.
Comparison with Other Runway Incidents
This is not the first time that something unexpected has happened on a fashion show runway. For example, during Milan Fashion Week, the model Ayesha Tan Jones, who identifies as nonbinary, staged a silent protest while walking for Gucci, holding their palms up with the phrase “Mental Health is Not Fashion” scrawled in marker. These incidents highlight the power of the runway as a platform not just for showcasing fashion but also for making statements and starting discussions about broader social and cultural issues.
Impact on Chanel
Chanel, as a brand, has always been associated with elegance, sophistication, and exclusivity. While this incident was an unplanned disruption, it did not seem to have a significant negative impact on the brand’s reputation in the long run. The brand’s spokeswoman stated that they were not going to make a drama out of it, showing a certain level of grace and poise in handling the situation. However, it did add an element of unexpectedness to the show, which in some ways may have actually increased the buzz and media coverage surrounding it.
Fashion Industry’s Response
The fashion industry as a whole has had to grapple with the increasing number of such incidents in recent years. It has led to a reevaluation of security measures and guest management at fashion shows. Brands and event organizers are now more vigilant about ensuring the safety and integrity of their shows while also trying to balance the need for an open and inclusive atmosphere. At the same time, it has also sparked a discussion about the role of fashion in society and how it can better engage with and reflect the values and concerns of the public.
In conclusion, the incident of Marie Benoliel jumping onto the Chanel catwalk during Paris Fashion Week in 2019 was a memorable and thought-provoking event. It brought attention to the individual behind the stunt, Marie S’Infilte, and her motives, as well as sparked a broader discussion about the fashion industry, its values, and its relationship with the public. Whether such incidents will become more common in the future remains to be seen, but they certainly add an interesting dimension to the ever-evolving world of fashion shows.
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