Inside Chanel’s Magical Parisian Pre-Fall Extravaganza With Rainey “Rainsford” Qualley  

Everything Chanel does is larger than life. So, when the brand dubbed their Métiers d’Art show “Paris, 31 Rue Cambon,” fans knew they were in for an immersive, and very Gallic, experience—but for singer-songwriter Rainsford (aka Rainey Qualley), the show had special significance. The artist, whose EP Emotional Support Animal debuted last year, has become a rising star thanks to a freshly launched single, “Open Open,” and an accompanying buzzy new video. Though she’d been to Chanel shows before, this season’s Pre-Fall collection marked the first time she’d taken in the house’s new creative director Virginie Viard’s designs. Joined by her sister Margaret and brother Justin, she was ready to spend her time in Paris taking a deep dive into Chanel’s history.

The first stop for Rainsford was a private tour of Coco Chanel’s apartment, complete with a glimpse at the fashion icon’s surprisingly glitzy personal artifacts. Next, she went for fittings in the brand’s legendary atelier, where she dressed up in classic tweeds and silks. This behind-the-scenes peek also gave her added perspective on Viard’s collection—who knew Chanel’s Art Deco birds would be reworked into bejeweled clutches?—and an insider’s view on French fashion history. In this exclusive diary, she takes Vogue along for the ride as she steps into the whimsical world of Chanel—from posing on the staircase at 31 Rue Cambon, to fine dining at the after-party.