Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Baz Luhrmann and Kylie Minogue brought the star power to the Chanel Cruise 2026/27 show in Sydney.
Flashbulbs popped and necks craned as the global superstars and Sydney’s socialites jostled for front-row seats at Chanel’s history-making fashion debut Down Under.
Kylie Minogue was among the global superstars and Sydney’s socialites jostled for front-row seats at Chanel’s history-making fashion debut Down Under. Getty
The luxury fashion house took over the drama of Barangaroo’s harbourside venue The Cutaway to showcase its coveted Resort 2027 collection.
The collection marks the first from the new creative director Matthieu Blazy – an old friend to both Kidman and Minogue – and is a nod to “the roots of Mademoiselle Chanel” in Biarritz.
While the Sydney show was a replica of Chanel’s resort 2027 collection originally unveiled in Biarritz, France, this marks the first time the French fashion house has hosted an official runway on Aussie soil.
First Nations models took to the catwalk in what’s been labelled a watershed moment for representation on the runway in Australia.
For the momentous occasion, the big names were joined by a host of local celebrities, including DJ Dom Dolla as well as Lleyton and Bec Hewitt’s daughter, model Mia Hewitt.
Nicole Kidman was among the big names bringing the star power to Chanel’s Australian fashion show debut. Janie Barrett
Chanel ambassador Margot Robbie arrives for the Chanel show at The Cutaway in Barangaroo. Wolter Peeters
The sheer scale of the undertaking is mammoth, unfolding across two high-octane showings at 2.30pm and 6pm, backed by an international crew and three completely booked-out Sydney hotels.
The runway event on Thursday was just one part of a week-long carnival of Chanel in Sydney.
Many of the 150 international guests arrived on Monday for a range of activities, including private performances of the Australian Ballet, facials and surfing lessons.
The runway event on Thursday was just one part of a week-long carnival of Chanel in Sydney.
The event comes ahead of next week’s reopening of their refurbished Melbourne boutique on Flinders Lane. The fashion brand’s first Australian boutique opened in Sydney in the ’80s.
Chanel’s Australian connection
A Chanel spectacle on Aussie shores was inevitable, given the Australian icons who are already woven into the brand’s DNA.
Nicole Kidman cemented her decades-long relationship with the maison when Chanel’s artistic director Matthieu Blazy named her ambassador in 2025. It continued a legacy sparked by Baz Luhrmann’s No.5 the Film – a three-minute romantic drama campaign starring Kidman in 2004.
Kidman donned a classic black suit with tails, a white top and unbuttoned white waistcoat layered between. Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for CHANEL
Margot Robbie opted for a black and white look, pairing a sheer white dress with a feathered flower at the centre of her bust with black heels and a handbag. Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for CHANEL
Meanwhile, golden girl Margot Robbie holds a special place in Chanel’s fashion lore as the very last ambassador handpicked by Karl Lagerfeld before his death in 2019.
Robbie’s Wuthering Heights co-star Jacob Elordi also has ties with Chanel after being named as their global ambassador for Chanel Beauty’s Bleu de Chanel fragrance line in April.
However the Brisbane boy turned Hollywood hunk was not seen at the Sydney show.
The Australian imprint has even been reflected directly into the clothes, tracing back 44 years to when Lagerfeld famously splashed a print by national treasure Jenny Kee across Chanel’s spring/summer ’83 runway.
Jacob Elordi also has ties with Chanel after being named as their global ambassador for Chanel Beauty’s Bleu de Chanel fragrance line in April. Getty Images
That homegrown connection is just as evident on the catwalk, with First Nations trailblazers Latahlia Hickling and Tatyana Perry making waves when they debuted at Blazy’s spring/summer ’26 Paris show last October.
Clinching the local takeover, Hickling took centre stage in Chanel’s newly dropped teaser clip on Thursday, joined by fellow Aussie runway royalty Julia Nobis and Josephen Akuei.
Why is this Chanel Fashion Show such a huge deal?
For decades, Australian fashion lovers have watched the big European shows from the other side of the world, but this time, the biggest name in luxury came straight to our doorstep.
In Chanel’s entire 116-year history, the French powerhouse has never once staged an official runway on Australian soil until now.
Baz Luhrmann has had a long affiliation with the French fashion house and made a slick looking appearance to show his support for the historic event. Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for CHANEL
Actor Joel Edgerton and his partner Christine Centenera, the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Australia, were among the stars at the show. Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for CHANEL
Bringing a production of this magnitude to Sydney sends a loud message: Australia isn’t just a lucrative market for selling handbags, it’s a serious player in the fashion game.
Just as importantly, it puts Sydney Harbour, homegrown creatives, and standout First Nations runway talent directly in front of the most influential eyes in the industry.
It’s the ultimate stamp of approval, and one that permanently cements Australia’s spot on the global fashion map.
Lleyton and Bec Hewitt’s daughter, model Mia Hewitt, was among the celebrities in attendance. Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for CHANEL
“At Chanel, we never design something special for one city or one market,” Chanel’s president of fashion Bruno Pavlovsky said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“It’s the same collection, but through a new angle. This Sydney, Australian angle will probably bring something a bit different, in terms of mood, in terms of energy.”
In case you needed any more proof that Sydney has never seen a fashion takeover quite like this, check out every major star who scored a seat:
Celebrities spotted at Chanel’s Sydney show
Pop princess Minogue, DJ Dom Dolla and retired Olympic athlete Cathy Freeman were among the first sighted at Sydney’s most talked about affair.
Olympian Cathy Freeman donned a crisp white shirt with jeans for the outing. Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for CHANEL
Pop princess Minogue, DJ Dom Dolla (pictured) and retired Olympic athlete Cathy Freeman were among the first sighted at Sydney’s most talked about affair. Getty Images for CHANEL
The iconic trio posed for a photo together, sporting their chicest Chanel ensembles.
Pavlovsky was spotted sitting with the popstar and Olympian.
Freeman wore a crisp white Chanel tuxedo style shirt, which was made in collaboration with French shirtmaker brand Charvet.
Noah Hill opted for double denim for the occasion. Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for CHANEL
Minogue also opted for a white look, wearing head-to-toe items from the French fashion house with a cardigan over a dress, with a contrasting black and gold chain belt slung low across her hips.
Minogue then changed into a black silk camisole and skirt combo as she took to the stage at the after party for a performance introduced by Kidman and Luhrmann.
Australian actress Olivia DeJonge paired a blue crocheted Chanel jacket with black trousers. Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for CHANEL
Actress Miah Madden also opted for the see-through jacket look, paired with the matching skirt. Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for CHANEL
Kidman donned a classic black suit with tails, a white top and unbuttoned white waistcoat layered between.
Robbie also opted for a black and white look, pairing a sheer white dress with a feathered flower at the centre of her bust with black heels and a handbag.
Bella Kasimba attends the Chanel Cruise 2026/27 show on November 05, 2026 in Sydney, Australia Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for CHANEL
Jacoténe attends the Chanel Cruise 2026/27 show on November 05, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for CHANEL
Australian actress Olivia DeJonge paired a blue crocheted Chanel jacket with black trousers, while fellow actress Miah Madden also opted for the see-through jacket look, paired with the matching skirt.
DJ Bella Kasimba, singer-songwriter Jacoténe and musician Noah Hill all stunned in head-to-toe Chanel, also adding a pop of colour to proceedings.
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