It’s with what cannot be taught that one succeeds. – Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel

Gabrielle Bonheur”Coco” Chanel is a mysterious figure whose past is fraught with ambiguity.  As my favorite designer, and icon for female empowerment, I’ve done my fair share of reading on Mademoiselle Chanel.  When I heard Paul Morand’s The Allure of Chanel was being reissued with illustrations by Karl Lagerfeld, I immediately had to get my hands on a copy.

Morand’s The Allure of Chanel stands apart from other books on Gabrielle Chanel’s life because the text is in Chanel’s own words.  Mlle. Chanel invited Paul Morand to visit her in St. Moritz so that he could write her memoirs.  Morand took many notes on his conversations with Coco on everything from hard work, beauty, wealth, aging and solitude.  After the interviews, the notes were stashed away, only to be discovered after Mlle. Chanel’s death.  Thirty years after the interviews, Paul Morand published The Allure of Chanel.

I read The Allure of Chanel from cover to cover in a matter of hours.  Maybe it’s because I’m infatuated with the subject matter, or maybe it was because it will be the closest to hearing her speak in her own words, but I was hooked from the moment I started reading.  It’s very rare that you can get a glimpse into the mind of a haute couture and fashion branding pioneer and Paul Morand gives us the opportunity.  The illustrations by Karl Lagerfeld at the beginning of each chapter only enhance the experience.  If you have any interest at all in Chanel, I highly recommend this book.  The Allure of Chanel is available now online.

*I received a copy of The Allure of Chanel from the publisher.

Did you ever think you’d get the chance to dress the legendary Coco Chanel?  Me neither.  But now you can!  Stardoll.com is a site geared toward young girls (or those young at heart) who have an interest in fashion.  Girls can either make their own virtual paper dolls or dress the likes of Lady Gaga, Cleopatra or Naomi Campbell.  One of the role models available to dress is none other than Mlle. Chanel.  Here are some of the looks I came up with… I want everything in the virtual closet!

VogueTV: Peter Philips in 80 Days

Peter Philips, the artistic director of Chanel Beauty has made quite a splash since he joined the Chanel team in 2008.  In his short time there he’s already created cult classics like Gold Fiction, Jade and Particulière.  Now you can watch the master make-up artist at work behind the scenes at runway shows, in his studio, during beauty shoots and in business meetings.

I especially love these videos because you get rare glimpses into fittings (which still take place in Mademoiselle’s salon), details of some of the accessories, the Lesage embroidery studio, and even the archives where you catch sight of original Chanel beauty products and Coco’s very first little black dress. View the videos from VogueTV below…

The nominees have been announced for the 12th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards and not surprisingly, Catherine Leterrier was nominated for her work in Coco Before Chanel. The specific category is “Excellence in a Period Film” and though I haven’t seen the other films in the category, I think she should win. It’s a very difficult task to do the costumes for the most iconic person in fashion history and I think she met the challenge. The Award ceremony will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Chanel is Bringing Lipstick Back: Vanessa Paradis for Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour

They say lipstick sales are “recession proof” – in fact – sales usually go up. Why? Because it’s an inexpensive way to look beautiful and freshen up your look. Chanel is taking note and bringing lipstick back to a young customer base that is infatuated with lip gloss. This March, Chanel is introducing Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour – and bringing back the lost art of sexily applying your lipstick.

Vanessa Paradis, the French actress (and Johnny Depp’s leading lady) is the face of the campaign and this is not the first time Paradis has worked with Chanel.  Andrea D’Avack, president of Chanel Fragrance & Beauté, stated: “Vanessa has been very linked to the house over the years, and she represents a young, sophisticated woman who we also believe will be the consumer for Rouge Coco.”  Print and TV ads have been shot though it’s still unclear whether TV spots will be placed in the U.S.

The Rouge Coco line has 30 shades and each hue is named after an influential part of Coco Chanel’s life – Camelia, Mademoiselle, and Paris – to name a few.  The shades come in one of four color families Roses-Pinks; Reds-Corals; Violets-Berries, and Neutrals-Browns and will be available in different global markets.

Like many Chanel cosmetics, the packaging takes it’s cue from Chanel’s history with black and gold detailing, interlocking C’s and the Chanel name embossed into each lipstick bullet.  The Rouge Coco collection debuts in March with each lipstick retailing for $30 at fine retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and Chanel.com.

Chanel is Bringing Lipstick Back: Introducing Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour

Images & Info: WWD

Chanel N˚5

Today, the most iconic fragrance of all time, Chanel N˚5 is seeing the release of an “authorized biography” – Histoire du No.5 Chanel, Un Numéro Intemporel (in English, Story of Chanel No.5, A Timeless Number).  The bio is written in French, by François Ternon, and is releasing today in France, Belgium and Switzerland.  The book takes us through the development of Chanel N˚5, and includes a discussion of the scent’s 2 creators Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel and Ernest Beaux.  The best part?  The house of Chanel supplied 32 illustrated pages – I wonder if they include some of Coco’s original sketches?  No word yet on if, and when, this will release stateside so for now, I guess I’ll have to learn French!

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Left: Rendering of the Chanel Shanghai Boutique (WWD); Right: Coco Chanel in her apartment with her beloved comorandel screens

Each year Chanel produces my favorite collection of the year – the “métiers d’art” collection – where Karl Lagerfeld takes on his magic carpet to the magical places that inspired Mlle. Chanel and whose ready-to-wear line features embellishments “with the couture ateliers Chanel owns.” Two years ago it was London, and last year it was Moscou. This year, the collection is called “Paris-Shanghai” and is, you guessed it, inspired by Shanghai, China. The collection will also include a short film directed by Uncle Karl himself.

To coincide with the collection, Chanel is opening a boutique in Shanghai on December 3, 2009. The boutique will be housed in the chic Peninsula Hotel on the riverfront and will be filled with commissioned art. French artist “Jean-Michel Othoniel, … created a giant, swirling strand of glass pearls, echoing the founding designer’s necklaces.”

Chanel to Open a Boutique in Shanghai

The layout of the boutique, designed by architect Peter Marino, echoes Coco Chanel’s apartment on 31 Rue Cambon and will also include an “ultra luxe” salon (don’t worry, if you can’t make it to Shanghai, you can visit the Chanel Ultra Luxe Boutique in Las Vegas).

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"Coco Avant Chanel" Exclusive Box Set at Colette

Coco Avant Chanel (Coco Before Chanel in the U.S.) finally hit stateside last week as it makes its way across the globe. You didn’t think that a film about one of France’s most celebrated icons would come and go without Colette doing something special did you?

"Coco Avant Chanel" Exclusive Box Set at Colette

To celebrate the release, Colette has put together a beautiful Coco Avant Chanel Exclusive Box Set with only 100 produced. The box itself is a hat box containing a boater hat from La Maison Michel, a limited edition picture of Gabrielle Chanel, a book of quotations from Coco Chanel, a dvd of the movie Coco Avant Chanel and a Blue Ray collector edition including a booklet depicting the making-of the movie. I want this now! The Coco Avant Chanel Box Set costs €150 and is available on the Colette web shop.

Mini Karl by Simone Legno

While you’re there, you’ll probably want to pick up your own “Mini Karl” – doesn’t every Chanel girl need one? Designed by Simone Legno, of Tokidoki fame, “Mini Karl” is almost adorable as the real thing. Mini Karl costs €129 and is available on the Colette web shop.

Happy Birthday Mademoiselle Chanel

Mademoiselle Chanel’s birthday is today, August 19th, and all the ladies (and gentleman) at M.I.S.S. wish Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel Joyeux Anniversaire.  She may not be here to celebrate herself, but we can commemorate her style and spirit.  Tonight I’ll be raising a glass of champagne to Coco and thanking her for all the beauty she bestowed upon us.  Joyeux Anniversaire Mademoiselle!