I remember when Chanel Vamp came out in 1994. It was the first time I saw how a nail color could take hold and create a frenzy among fashion and beauty mavens. I was in college, and definitely wasn’t buying designer polish, but I was following the trends enough to know that Chanel Vamp was creating history.
Flash forward to 2008 when Peter Philips was named global creative director of Chanel Makeup. The first nail color created under his direction was Gold Fiction. Like liquid gold, Gold Fiction revived the frenzy of having the must-have color at every fashionista’s finger tips. Since then, every collection has featured a set of limited edition colors that have sold out at makeup counters and sold for over $100 on ebay. (Jade has reportedly created the most frenzy with prices reaching $165 on ebay. Laurel Pinson).
What is it about the Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colours that cause this mass hysteria?
Yes, the colors are ground breaking in that they are trendsetters. That is, many mass market nail color brands follow suit and create copy cat colors. But I don’t think that’s the main reason. I think that the Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colours are an easy in to the Chanel Fantasy – “the gateway drug“, if you will.
With basic Chanel flats starting at over $500 and Chanel 2.55 bags starting at over $2,000, Le Vernis Nail Colour is a steal at $23 to $25 a bottle. Expensive for nail polish? Yes, and some might say that a person is crazy for spending that much on nail polish. But, when you compare that to the cost of other Chanel products it’s a drop in the bucket.
Most people can’t afford the Chanel shoes, bags and clothing but are Chanelphiles nonetheless (I can attest to that!). Le Vernis Nail Colours are a way for fledgling Chanel fans to buy into the Chanel fantasy.
Similar Posts:
- Chanel Noir et Or Paris-Shanghai Makeup Collection
- 12 Days of Chanel: Le Vernis Nail Colour
- Peter Philips on Creating Particulière
- Chanel Fall 2011 Nail Polish Sneak Peek: Graphite, Quartz & Peridot
- Introducing Les Khakis de Chanel Nail Collection
I love the Chanel Nail polishes, and yes partly to buy into that brand. I can’t afford the clothes, shoes, bags or accessories so I buy the make-up. I collect the nailpolishes and my collection now tops 50, some of which are the hard to find colours including Jade and Gold Fiction. I love my collection, it brings me a lot of joy!
Comment by Alison — June 15, 2010 @ 5:36 am
I just bought my first bottle of Chanel nailpolis this weekend. I choose “Orange Frizz” because nouvelle vague and rivera were sold out, and the macy’s lady had the audacity to show me the bottles itself as to remind I CANNOT HAVE it for retail, tear. But lesson learned, pre-order at Nordstroms… Anniversary Collection …HERE I COME!
Comment by Bernadette — June 15, 2010 @ 8:21 pm
Hi Alison!
That’s awesome. I love buying the colors but then always want to hoard them and not actually USE them!
Comment by admin — June 23, 2010 @ 5:43 pm
Aww
You may want to try another Macy’s – try a smaller one that gets less traffic and they may still have some. Good luck!
But, if you really love the color then I’m sure there will be tons of “copy cat” colors – there always are
Comment by admin — June 23, 2010 @ 5:45 pm