For Rings of Saturn, Brazilian choreographer Juliano Nuñes’s new duet, Matthieu Blazy made his debut as a costume designer for the Paris Opera Ballet, dressing étoiles Hugo Marchand and Germain Louvet in embroidered navy shirts and sculptural trousers. Unveiled at the Palais Garnier on October 10th, 2026, the Chanel costumes draw on the colours of Saturn’s rings, pairing couture craftsmanship with the fluid physicality of contemporary dance.
Embroidery, movement and a shared identity
Roomy cotton-poplin shirts feature intricate embroidery in Lurex, silk velvet and cotton threads, tracing the shifting hues of Saturn’s rings. Gold-trimmed navy buttons add a subtle glint, while black grain de poudre barrel trousers lend the silhouettes a relaxed, sculptural line.
The matching outfits give Marchand and Louvet an almost twin-like appearance. Friends since the age of 13, the dancers move through Nuñes’s eight-minute choreography in close physical exchange, linking arms and lifting one another. The generous cuts and richly textured embroidery complement their movements while giving the pair a distinct visual identity.
Chanel’s Enduring Relationship with Ballet
Chanel’s relationship with ballet dates to 1924, when Gabrielle Chanel designed costumes for Sergei Diaghilev’s Le Train Bleu, with contributions from Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso. The stage became a space for exploring clothing, freedom of movement and modern life.
The 2026–2027 season-opening gala featured Juliano Nuñes’s Rings of Saturn, Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Vers un pays sage, a tribute to his father, painter Jean Maillot, and Aszure Barton’s Busk. The evening concluded with the traditional Défilé du Ballet, featuring tutus and tiaras created by Chanel for the entire company.
A major supporter of the Paris Opera, Chanel has sponsored the opening gala since 2018, became its Major Patron in 2023 and was named Exceptional Patron of its renovation programme in 2025. The gala raised approximately €1.8 million for the institution’s activities.
Courtesy of CHANEL
