Chanel is big in Japan – and they know it. On March 21-23 Chanel will host three events: a presentation of the winter couture show, the opening a pop-up shop, and opening an exhibition devoted to Chanel’s iconic tweed jackets to showing images from Karl Lagefeld’s book “The Little Black Jacket,” and styled by Carine Roitfeld. WWD
The Manhattan Vintage show is February 3 & 4 in NYC – get your tickets to buy some great vintage Chanel. Manhattan Vintage
More for the new sport collection from Chanel including a Cane and Tennis Racket Set. Hypebeast
While I’m very happy basking in near-record breaking warm weather in the San Francisco Bay Area, I know that many of you are suffering in the cold. So, I’m sending you some warm wishes and hoping that you stay cozy this weekend! This Authentic Chanel Black Lambskin Leather Hot Water Bottle Bag can keep you warm and toasty for a mere $2900. Just thinking of this hot water bag makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
A few months ago my good friend Liz Baca/The Goods!, a vintage dealer, sold some of her vintage goodies at the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show. I knew there would be lots of Chanel floating around so I asked her to take some Chanel street style shots for me to feature on the site. Here is the best of the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show – all photos by Liz Baca on the iPhone.
Here is my belated gift to you: a feast of Chanel costume jewelry treasures designed by Gabriella “Coco” Chanel herself. This very rare collection of jewels is now on sale online through 1stDibs.com. Prices range from $1,000 to $20,000 and every piece is a treasure. A true glimpse into Mademoiselle’s exquisite taste, the collection of jewelry is museum worthy. I’m so very jealous of anyone that purchases any of these pieces. Ranging from $1,400 to $22,000 this jewelry is truly worth the investment.
Silk Lamé tunic and trouser ensemble; Bib Necklace, Gabrielle Chanel, Spring/Summer 1969. Image from Chanel: Couture and Industry by Amy de la Haye
“In the late Fifties, early Sixties, she designed several Indian-inspired outfits — and that was enough.”
-Karl Lagerfeld, WWD
Karl Lagerfeld’s creativity knows no bounds, but what I love about him as the designer for Chanel is that he utterly respects the foundations that Gabrielle Chanel laid. With each Chanel Métiers D’Art collection he takes us on a trip around the globe to view a visual fusion of Paris and some glamorous destination. But these destinations are not pulled out of his magician’s hat (or fingerless gloves), rather, they are based on clues that Gabrielle Chanel left us long ago.
Having access to the Chanel archives, Karl Lagerfeld knew that Chanel herself was inspired by South Asia and designed clothing and jewelry in the sixties that were Indian-inspired. Reviewing some of my Chanel books, I was able to cull some examples for you to see. It’s interesting to see how glitzy previous examples are and how subdued the current Chanel Métiers D’Art Pre-Fall 2012 Paris-Bombay collection is. It’s also interesting to note that this is not the first time that Karl Lagerfeld has referenced this South Asian inspiration. The bottom two photos show images of Karl Lagerfeld designs for Chanel from previous collections .
Evening Suit, Mughal patterned gold lamé and silk brocade, Gabrielle Chanel, 1960. Image from Chanel: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Exhibition Catalog
Evening Ensemble, Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld, Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 1989-90. Image from Chanel: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Exhibition Catalog
Evening Suit, Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld, Prêt-à-porter, Autumn/Winter 1996-97. Image from Chanel: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Exhibition Catalog
Chanel: Couture and Industry is one of the many new recent books that have come out about our favorite couturière, Coco Chanel. Unlike some of the more scandalous biographies, Chanel: Couture and Industry is a breath of fresh air because it focuses on Chanel in the context of fashion history.
Coco Chanel is synonymous with elegance, fashion innovation and modernity and in Chanel: Couture and Industry, Amy de la Haye examines the creative output of the House of Chanel from its infancy in the 1920s, to the present day under the tutelage of Karl Lagerfeld. Using the renowned collections of the V&A as her sources, fashion historian Amy de la Haye shows how Coco Chanel changed the way modern women dress.
Chanel: Couture and Industry includes beautiful images of original Chanel pieces – many of which can only be seen in museums – and many of which I have never seen before in any other Chanel publication. Chanel is the third book in the V&A Fashion Series covering key innovators in the world of fashion. If you are looking for a book that focuses more on Chanel in the context of fashion history then this is the book for you – or a great gift for any Chanelphile. Chanel: Couture and Industry is available online on Amazon.com.
The Covetuer is every fashion lover’s inside look into the closets we all wish we had. As a year in review, they’ve gathered all the photos of rare Chanel items that they’ve come across and published them in one place. I selected a few of my favorites but you should definitely check out The Coveteur for the full experience.
Speaking of hotels Coco Chanel lived in, the Beau Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland is not too shabby. Pursuitist
More images of the Spring 2012 Le Vernis collection. Fashion
Check out the playlist from the Chanel Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear show. Chanel News
The International Center of Photography is showing Harper’s Bazaar: A Decade of Style, an exhibit that features photos by by Karl Lagerfeld as well as a portrait of Uncle Karl. International Center of Photography
Justine Picardie debates the merits of Chanel handbags. The Guardian
Can’t afford vintage Chanel? No problem, you can rent it! Style
Lindsay Lohan wore a Chanel bag to court – in other news, what is up with her blush? Grazia
Diane Kruger wears Chanel Fall 2011 on the red carpet – she looks great but this outfit doesn’t read “red carpet” to me. Red Carpet Fashion Awards
Elizabeth Olsen wore Chanel haute couture from the spring 2012 collection – she’s a pretty gril but I have to say that I’m not loving the dress on her – her breasts look flattened and her shoulders seem to broad for this kind of top. Just Jared
CNN highlighted “fashion architecture” in a piece on architecture as an extension of the brand experience and the Chanel Ginza store in Tokyo designed by Peter Marino + Associates Architects was considered a standout example.
Elizabeth Olsen - Image Source Just Jared
According to the NY Times, Karl Lagerfeld photographed Elizabeth Olsen for a coffee table book. No word about this project but here is what she said about working with Uncle Karl: “The Chanel designer had been shooting her for a coffee table book, and the photo session had gone long. She modeled an oversize classic Chanel tweed jacket for him. “I didn’t get to keep it,” she said, laughing as she pointed to her own nondescript sweater and T-shirt.”
Karl Lagerfeld can add “gallery booth designer” to his resume – he’s designed Zurich’s Gmurzynska Gallery’s booth for the FIAC in Paris from October 20 to 23. Hollywood Reporter
London posh hotel Sofitel St. James renovated their brasserie and is unveiling The Balcon on October 17th. The St. James bar in The Balcon is “inspired by the interiors of Coco Chanel’s 1920’s Paris apartment at 55 Rue Cambon and highlights will include vintage cocktails from antique recipe books. There will also be a Champagne Angel on hand to provide expert advice.” Do you see the curved staircase and banister? I’ll toast to that! The Handbook
Here’s a Karlism for you – Karl Lagerfeld takes his time with the models he chooses to photograph. He stated: “I do a lot of portraits. I really take time to choose my models. I don’t think one should ever be a model guzzler.” ContactMusic
Just in time for winter, you can get a printed cashmere scarf with Karl Lagerfeld’s face on it. NY Mag – The Cut
Chanel ranked #15 on a British survey of the Top 20 “cool brands”. Huffington Post
Beau Dunn’s mom was a model and she has ridiculous vintage Chanel from the 80′s. I hate her. I’m not afraid to say it…
On a lighter note, check out the backstage behind-the-scenes of the recent Chanel Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear show…
Billion Dollar Babes is holding a special online private sale featuring more than 65 rare, vintage Chanel pieces guaranteed to make any Chanel collector feel lucky. The sale will include handbags, belts, sunglasses, small leather goods, shoes and of course gorgeous jewelry, all from the ‘80s, ‘90s and early ‘00s, and all in great condition.
Among the featured pieces in this Billion Dollar Babes sale is a limited-edition necklace like the one Meryl Streep wore in The Devil Wears Prada. A true collector’s piece, the faux-pearl-and-links necklace is adorned with iconic Chanel charms including the Le Vernes classic red Chanel nail polish, the decorative Chanel #5 perfume bottle and red lipstick. And there’s the gold-plated Chanel pin, a whimsical effigy of Coco Chanel herself.
The opportunity to own these rare, vintage Chanel pieces begins Monday, August 8 at 8 a.m. PST on BillionDollarBabes.com where membership is free. The sale ends Tuesday, August 9 at 11 pm PST.
