2026 will mark a century since Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel invented the little black dress and changed fashion history forever. Just this week, I've spotted traces of her legacy in fall party outfits from Zoë Kravitz's LBD to New York Fashion Week street style's wave of black lace minis outside the late-night shows. But great fashion inventions were made to be re-invented. It's the house of Chanel's own muses who are leading the charge to remix the LBD—and convincing me to switch up my after-hours outfits.
On September 10, Chanel's hosted an unofficial It Girl convention at New York City's Doubles Club. The official invite promised to toast director Sofia Coppola's new book created in partnership with Chanel: Chanel Haute Couture, a 450-page volume recounting the history of the house's esteemed designs through Coppola's handpicked assemblage of sketches, client photos, and more. As guests like The Studio star Chase Sui Wonders, model Alek Wek, and chart-topper Gracie Abrams arrived, they brought a fresh perspective on event dressing with them.
