After the success of the Chanel Paris-Moscou Matryoshka doll purse, Uncle Karl has created a similar purse for the Shanghai collection. The matching drop earrings are adorable – I wonder if he used these little ladies on any other accessories? Lagerfeld also reinterpreted the classic 2.55 bag with large sequined palletes in red and jade.
My other favorite bag is Chanel’s rendition of the classic takeout box – with leather chain strap and all! The Chanel cuff is also especially beautiful and is reminiscent of Chinese pottery and vases.
This is just a little glimpse into the details of the collection and I can’t wait to see more!
Chanel launched a site with an array of “Lovely Chanel Gifts” just in time for Valentine’s Day. The site has a cute slot machine featuring all of the products that have a bit of a Valentine’s Day theme. Karl must have tattoos on the brain because not only did he release Chanel temporary tattoos, but one of the earrings are inspired by the classic heart tattoos. From heart charms on the quilted lambskin classic flap bags to enamel brooches and charms on chain necklaces, all of these gifts are a great way to profess one’s love (in fact, any Chanel gift is a great way to show some love). The products are available at Chanel boutiques and you’ve got about a week to start dropping hints.
Chanel Set of 3 Enamel Brooches with Glass Pearls
Chanel Set of 3 Plexi and Enameled Bangle Bracelets
Chanel Enameled Metal “Tattoo” Heart Earrings with Strass
Chanel Quilted Lambskin Classic Flap Bag
Chanel Quilted Lambskin Classic Flap Bag
Chanel Quilted Lambskin Wallet
Chanel Quilted Lambskin Case
Chanel Bi-color Silk Stole with Matching Camellia
Chanel Fancy Print Silk Stole
Chanel Patent Calfskin Belt
Chanel Cashmere Camellia & Chanel “Coco Heart” Pendant Necklace
Chanel bags are as pricey as they come – believe me, I know, I’m still saving up for my first! I want my first bag to be a pristine and brand new black 2.55 Reissue in lambskin (or vintage from the 50s or 60s when Mlle. designed it herself), but that doesn’t stop me from visiting Fashionphile.com every so often to check out what they have in store.
Fashionphile sells gently used luxury items from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès among others. They guarantee the authenticity – which is great – because other sites like ebay scare me.
Today, I needed my daily does of Chanel and I spotted some bags on Fashionphile that I would love to own – my favorite being the pearl evening bag – so perfect in it’s simplicity and so very Chanel!
I recently came across an informative article that goes over the history of the iconic Chanel 2.55 Handbag and all of the details, and the inspiration behind them on Fashion Pearls of Wisdom.
The writer takes us through her most recent find of an original Chanel 2.55 bag from the 1950s-1960s that was designed by Mademoiselle Chanel herself. So gorgeous! She then details the differences between the original bag (“reissue”) and the handbag that Karl Lagerfeld tweaked in the 1980s (“classic”). Both bags are still available today and have very subtle differences.
Finally, the writer gives us tips on how to spot a fake – very helpful clues. I still don’t have a 2.55 bag and it’s on the top of my wish list but now I would love to get my hands on an original designed by Coco herself.
It was a hoedown at The Grand Palais in Paris with models strutted around a Chanel barn, haystacks and all. Karl Lagerfeld never disappoints in showmanship and the Chanel Spring 2010 Ready to Wear show was an example of how he can take something as dowdy as country bumpkin and make it très chic.
Lagerfeld was inspired by Marie Antoinette’s shepherdess phase, as well as citing Coco Chanel’s love for escaping the big city to experience the country. Signature Chanel themes like tweed, lace, and the ubiquitous bags were all there – but with a country twist. Dresses and skirts were short – perfect for frolicking in the fields and the looks were completed with milk maid clogs.
The beauty was kept simple and natural with hair in messy Bardot-eque twists with shafts of wheat tucked in the up-dos. One of my favorite aspects of the show was the body paint. From the double C’s, to a rosary, models have body paint on writs, necklines and their legs. And the new nail colours! It looks like a beigey-taupe color will be popular for Spring.
The highlight of the show was Lily Allen, the face of Chanel’s Coco Cocoon Collection, rising from the ground in a giant bale of hay to perform her country-inspired hit, Not Fair. You can see her perform and see the A-list celebs that were front row (like Rihanna and Prince) in the videos below.
Coco Chanel was a master at combining casual and luxurious so the Coco Cocoon collection is something that fits in nicely with Chanel’s original vision. Made of nylon or lambskin, the collection is called Cocoon because it’s reminiscent of the big down coats we cocoon ourselves in during the winter. Many of the styles are reversible (thus as beautiful inside as they are out) and feature very subtle branding. The collection is available in beige, black, chocolate or burgandy – the burgandy is the same legendary shade used for the lining of the famous “2.55″ handbag. The collection also includes small goods like wallets, cases, pouches and key rings.
Coco Cocoon Collection
Check out the Chanel Coco Cocoon site to see all of the products in the collection, the inspiration, the campaign images and videos of Chanel clad young ladies showing you how great each of the pieces are.
Cuckoo for Coco: Lily Allen for the Chanel “Coco Cocoon” Collection
Lily Allen caught Uncle Karl’s attention when her first album came out and she’s been spotted wearing Chanel on many occasions – from Chanel’s Matyroyshka Doll purse to the homemade double C’s. Rumors and sneak peeks have been swirling online surrounding Lily Allen ads for Chanel and on Monday, photos from the campaign were publicized.
Lily Allen was shot for the “Coco Cocoon” campaign and the looks were very inspired by Holly Golightly, the infamous character from Breakfast at Tiffany’s that Audrey Hepburn brought to life. From the black glasses, tiara, gloves and bouffant, Lily Allen mixture of innocence and sass makes her a great 21st century Holly Golightly.
The “Coco Cocoon” collection features lightweight nylon and lambskin leather totes that come in an understated palette of black, ecru, navy and beige. All of the bags are reversible and when you turn them inside out, they reveal a side that is quilted garnet – the original lining color of the 2.55 bag.
I love the idea of referencing the garnet of the original bags, but the shade they chose for this collection is a bit too burnt orange – I wish it were a brighter red instead. I think the idea of a lightweight nylon quilted bag is cute and would be great for travel since they start out so lightweight. Now, they just need to make some cocoon coats to go with the cocoon bags – just in time for winter. The “Coco Cocoon” collection debuts in October 2009.
Cuckoo for Coco: Lily Allen for the Chanel “Coco Cocoon” Collection
Cuckoo for Coco: Lily Allen for the Chanel “Coco Cocoon” Collection
Cuckoo for Coco: Lily Allen for the Chanel “Coco Cocoon” Collection
Cuckoo for Coco: Lily Allen for the Chanel “Coco Cocoon” Collection
Cuckoo for Coco: Lily Allen for the Chanel “Coco Cocoon” Collection
Cuckoo for Coco: Lily Allen for the Chanel “Coco Cocoon” Collection
With ever tightening security measures Karl Lagerfeld seems to have come up with a way to get through security quickly for trendy jet setters – the “naked” bag.
Check out Chanel’s Naked Bag line, it ranges from different shapes in 4 colors (white, gold, black and grey). I’m not too sure I like ‘clear’ bags, not really feeling people looking at what I have inside. Its bad enuff when I rock my LV Perforated Speedy, they stare hard to see if they can see what’s inside my bag haha. But this can be cute if its in the other colors, just the clear white is too extreme for me.
