Karl Lagerfeld is kind of like Superman. At least it seems that way with the thousands of projects and collaborations he takes on in addition to Chanel (Hogan, Fendi, Karl, commercials for Diet Coke, Magnum ice cream, Volkswagen, and the list goes on). So maybe that’s what he was feeling like when he set Chanel‘s fall show in a crystal cave, a chic replica of Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, and sent clothes and models covered in crystals down the runway.

Stalagmites dotted the runway which was covered in shimmering sand. An adorable toddler in a pink fur coat couldn’t stop playing with a crop of amethyst spikes in front of her. I even watched one fully grown woman pocket some Chanel sand and crystals in her pocket. Yes, I saw you! Chanel brings out the childlike wonder in all of us.

The models sparkled just as much as the runway. A stellar cast as always, Stella Tennant opened the show and everyone from Miranda Kerr to Joan Smalls to Anja Rubik to tiny tot Hudson Kroenig (at least we think that was him–at this point Brad Kroenig’s son is a Chanel runway vet) walked, but I wasn’t able to spot Freja. Their eyebrows were done in crystals, twinkling dark caterpillars that reportedly took the Maison Lesage three hours per pair.

As for the clothes, the crystals were there too: Lining a hood of a parka on Stella Tennant; in dégradé on the cuffs of the classic Chanel jacket; in shimmering flecks on tweed skirts layered over pants; and in geometric form as reflective diamonds boldly embellishing the front of a felt wool coat dress or as cut outs at the back of a jacket or on leggings. While the classic Chanel suit silhouette was there, Lagerfeld presented a roomier one, too, with rounded edges and flared at the hips–not so unlike the shapes we saw at Marc Jacobs, but a little more figure-flattering.

And the accessories? Chanel crystals look really good on accessories. Square lucite heels had clusters of crystals at the base. Massive crystal amulets hung around models necks and slabs of crystals made up thick cuffs. If Karl Lagerfeld is Superman then this is Superwoman’s wardrobe.

Photos: Getty