It was a hoedown at The Grand Palais in Paris with models strutted around a Chanel barn, haystacks and all.  Karl Lagerfeld never disappoints in showmanship and the Chanel Spring 2010 Ready to Wear show was an example of how he can take something as dowdy as country bumpkin and make it très chic.

Lagerfeld was inspired by Marie Antoinette’s shepherdess phase, as well as citing Coco Chanel’s love for escaping the big city to experience the country. Signature Chanel themes like tweed, lace, and the ubiquitous bags were all there – but with a country twist. Dresses and skirts were short – perfect for frolicking in the fields and the looks were completed with milk maid clogs.

The beauty was kept simple and natural with hair in messy Bardot-eque twists with shafts of wheat tucked in the up-dos. One of my favorite aspects of the show was the body paint. From the double C’s, to a rosary, models have body paint on writs, necklines and their legs.  And the new nail colours!  It looks like a beigey-taupe color will be popular for Spring.

The highlight of the show was Lily Allen, the face of Chanel’s Coco Cocoon Collection, rising from the ground in a giant bale of hay to perform her country-inspired hit, Not Fair. You can see her perform and see the A-list celebs that were front row (like Rihanna and Prince) in the videos below.