Acclaimed filmmaker Sofia Coppola, known for her mastery of nuanced, female-driven storytelling, captures Danish beauty Ida Heiner at the iconic Villa d’Este to mark Chanel's forthcoming Cruise show. Here, Coppola reveals her vision: the allure of Lake Como, the persona of Heiner and the enduring magic of Chanel
A contemplative Scarlett Johansson looking out over the Tokyo skyline from a high-rise hotel room in Lost in Translation. An apprehensive Kirsten Dunst arriving by carriage to the lavish Versailles in Marie Antoinette. A naive Elle Fanning shimmering underwater in the Chateau Marmont pool in Somewhere. Sofia Coppola has long perfected the art of capturing the female perspective, letting her characters inhabit delicate moments of reflection and meaning. Now, she channels this signature approach into a new film shot for Chanel, with Danish model Ida Heiner as its main character, on the occasion of the Maison's Cruise '25/'26 show in Lake Como.
“I put myself in the point of view of the woman discovering the place,” Coppola says of staging Heiner in Villa d’Este, “and I try to make the Chanel woman someone you can relate to – even if she’s a fantasy version – so you can be her, not looking at her,” she explains. “That’s what I try to do. It’s more of a mood to introduce the show location and how it feels to be there and what kind of a persona you might put on for that place. It’s a fantasy life.”
Sofia Coppola on set with Ida Heiner at Villa d’Este. Photo: CHANEL
Through Coppola’s lens, this fantasy is brought to life, as Heiner wanders – clad in Chanel high-waisted shorts, swimwear and accessories – through the Renaissance palace’s marble staircases, ochre-toned terrace, and breath-taking balconies, all of which will be the backdrop to the Cruise show come Wednesday. “The Villa d'Este is such a beautiful and classic place with so much cinema history,” Coppola comments. “It has the elegance of an Italian palace hotel of a past era that hasn't changed. Time seems to stop, and you can be a fantasy version of yourself.”
There is a natural cinematic thread throughout Chanel's Cruise shows, transporting us from season to season to surreal settings and dreamy locales across the globe. “I think there’s an influence and a dialogue, and they inspire each other,” Coppola says of the choice of Lake Como for '25/'26. “Villa d’Este feels like a film location, the setting of a story, and I think the Studio approaches the models like characters – their idea of this Chanel woman on holiday in this refined part of Italy,” she adds. It mirrors the way in which Chanel has contributed to legendary scenes in the history of cinema, including Stolen Kisses by François Truffaut, Broken Embraces by Pedro Almodóvar. and more recently, Coppola's own film Priscilla – with the Maison creating the iconic wedding dress.
Photo: CHANEL
Photo: CHANEL
Lake Como’s longstanding allure to filmmakers is also undeniable, with Coppola noting that its glamorous atmosphere makes it a perfect cinematic destination. “It has the glamour of classic Hollywood – the boats and dressing up in a relaxed, elegant way,” she muses, adding, “It makes me think of Grace Kelly and The Talented Mr. Ripley.” For Coppola, this legendary location is more than just a picturesque setting; it’s a place steeped in cinematic tradition that has inspired countless filmmakers before her.
Romy Schneider wearing a tweed suit from Chanel's 1961/1962 Autumn/Winter Haute Couture collection, in the short film 'Il Lavaro' by Luchino Visconti. . Photo: Sunset Boulevard/Corbisvia Getty Images
In Lake Como's extensive cinematic archives, Italian filmmaker Luchino Visconti – a close friend of Gabriella Chanel – stands out. “I think it’s cool that they were friends, of course I have a lot of admiration for them both, and it makes sense as creative people with a lot of culture and taste that they would like each other. It’s always interesting for me to discover all these sides of Coco Chanel,” Coppola says. One particular film by Visconti comes up in conversation: Il Lavoro, in which Romy Schneider wears a light-blue tweed Chanel suit, complete with a pill box hat, pearls and kitten tucked under her arm. “This film is one of my all-time favourite style moments!” Coppola exclaims. “I love the whole attitude and how Visconit shows something really refined in a casual way – her lying around the floor in a perfect Chanel suit or throwing on a gold lamé outfit with wet hair after the bath. It’s just the best to me!”
Watch the full film by Coppola below and tune into Chanel's channels to see the Cruise '25/'26 collection on Wednesday 30th April at 14.00 CET.