Presented at the Grand Palais underneath an astonishing recreation of the solar system, Matthieu Blazy ’s Chanel debut was the most anticipated show of the season. The French-Belgian 41-year-old was about to become only the third designer, after Coco herself, to lead the label. The pressure was on, and he delivered. But in the 48 hours following the show, it’s become clear that the defining element was not the set, marvelous as it was, nor merely the fantastic clothes Blazy proposed for spring. It was the model Awar Odhiang .

As all the models paraded in a line at the finale, Odhiang broke the formation. She smiled and twirled and clapped. She lifted the hem of her embroidered skirt and shimmied as Blazy emerged from backstage—then they locked eyes, ran to each other, and hugged. Ye

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