Diane Kruger, Rita Ora, Clemence Poesy at Chanel’s beach

At the Chanel show at the Grand Palais in Paris on Tuesday, Diane Kruger of “Inglourious Basterds” said she arrived at midnight the previous evening specifically to see the collection. A regular at the classic label’s haute couture shows, Kruger wasn’t on the lookout for Oscar week fashions this time. She said she had another special occasion in mind.

“I thought I might find something for the premiere of ‘The Host,’” said the star of the sci-fi thriller, which opens in March.

Also there for the show were Hailee Steinfeld of “True Grit,” Canadian musician Grimes, British singer-songwriter Rita Ora, iconic model Ines de la Fressange, French actress Clemence Poesy and romance author Danielle Steel.

Ironically, considering the snow blanketing Paris earlier this week, the design house created a beach inside the historic glass-domed exhibition hall. Surrounded by a tree-lined forest, thick with shrubbery and complete with chirping bird sounds, guests sat on a grandstand of bleached-wood reminiscent of a boardwalk for the spring-summer 2013 show, which took place on sandy ground.

“So appropriate for January,” deadpanned Peter Marino, acclaimed architect of, among other projects, the Chanel boutiques around the world. He’s designing a new one in London, he said.

Models walked across the sand in Karl Lagerfeld’s latest take on suits, short dresses and gowns, one model twirling to show off the fullness of her skirt. Shoulders were emphasized, lace boots appeared to double as leggings and a pouf of feathers accessorized the hair.

The show also featured the season’s happiest ending to date: two brides holding hands – not just with each other, but also with their child.

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