Chanel Fall Winter 2010 Haute Couture Comes Roaring In

CHANEL Fall 2010 Haute Couture is all about a new proportion, a modern comfortable femininity.  An exquisite collection, designer Karl Lagerfeld summons 1920's flappers with a mix of 1960's modern flair - a blending of gorgeous beading, sequins, lace (the big trend for Fall), fur and feathers on short dresses (there's not a single long dress in the collection) created to enhance the gentle softness of a woman's silhouette.

Lagerfeld says he wanted something differnt for this collection, a cleaning up so to speak.  No long sleeves, no long dresses, and tired of the movie star red carpet glamour and flouncy Belle Epoque styling he wanted simple elegance.  He created with moving around in mind, like "in the roaring twenties," he says, finally "(I) liked the idea of comfort."

The craftsmanship and sophistication of the designs conjure elements of Metiers d'Art and the Houses of Lesage, Lemarie, Massaro and Montex.  The embroidery and detailing of the collection is absolutely sensuous. One just cannot single out a favorite here, it's just too painful.  The short dresses are balanced by the volume of the sleeves, masterfully created boleros, the chunky bracelets and the sumptuous boots.

Symbolism abounds throughout the collection: the lion (Coco Chanel was a Leo), the sunflower, sunburst, the shining sun, a sign of strength and renewal.  The color palette appropriately autumn with chocolate browns, bronze, taupe, beige blended with midnight blues, cherry reds, cream, white, eggplant and black.

The beauty look for this collection was nothing short of genius as well.  Who better than to perfect the red lip than Chanel.  Peter Philips, Global Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, gave us the most delicious crimson red lip seen in ages. Using deep red lips and simple, nude makeup, the models were given a modern elegance. Here's the scoop on what Philips used to create this look:

(L-R) Backstage swatches, Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Color in Rivoli, Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color in Rouge Fatal, Chanel Les Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in Enigma

"For the show, Karl Lagerfeld wanted to give a new dimension to Haute Couture makeup. He wanted contemporary hairstyles and makeup and a new sophistication: an everyday, easy to wear look. When Karl showed me his sketches, I realized that all the silhouettes had a touch of red on the mouth. The first suit he showed me was a deep magnificent red which I loved. The tone was given... The mouth and nails were going to be red! The idea was to take two classic makeup elements, a red lipstick and nail polish, and to create a contrast by emphasizing them in an ultra-modern fashion on a nude face." (Teen Vogue)

To create the look: Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Color in Rivoli, Chanel Les Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in Enigma and Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color in Rouge Fatal (launching in October 2010).

Video courtesy of style.com

 
Chanel Fall/Winter 2010 Haute Couture shines bright.  The fashions are absolutely divine, the makeup simple yet gorgeous and new trends have been inspired with the chunky bracelets, quilted ankle boots, hair regrowth (did ya see those roots on the catwalk - yeah, that's apparently the next big thing too - whew), crimson lips, and lace (don't forget the lace - gonna be huge next season).  Many have noted this as Lagerfeld's best collection, a sentiment which he apparently loathes.  Why?

Lagerfeld believes, "Fashion is about going ahead, not about memory. When people want to be liked for what they did, they should stop."

So has all the creative genius that went into the Chanel Fall 2010 Haute Couture collection left him blank of ideas for the moment?

"No," quips Sir Karl, "I will be ready by tomorrow morning."

For more information on this equisitely sumptuous collection as well as backstage commentary, video and more with Karl Lagerfeld, visit Chanel.com.



images/photos: Chanel, Makeup and Beauty Blog (Chanel Quad in Enigma), Lacquer Bourdoir (Rouge Fatal), Style

Chanel Coco Cocoon Collection

"Mademoiselle Chanel was a rebel for her time and I find this same free spirit in Vanessa Paradis, both in the way she lives and in the way she dresses. She has a very special kind of magic. She is able to communicate something that is invisible to the eye, but that comes across on the screen. Her attitude and charm appeal to everyone," says Karl Lagerfeld.

It is only natural, therefore, that a strong bond has formed between CHANEL and Vanessa Paradis.

"The better we know each other, the more we love each other. My admiration and my love just keep growing. I feel amazingly lucky to be able to work with CHANEL. Coco Cocoon bags are as beautiful as they are cozy. The fabric lets you be chic, while at the same time you can rest your head on it and feel comforted," says Paradis.

Coco Cocoon features luxurious detailing like quilted caviar calfskin, quilted lambskin, orylag fur accents and quilted alligator.

Making-Of: Vanessa Paradis for Chanel Coco Cocoon from LesMads on Vimeo.

Thinking you've heard of Coco Cocoon before? You have. The collection debuted in 2009, only at that time the face behind the bag was Lily Allen.  Paradis replaces Allen for this incarnation of the collection and the slender, french beauty is said to better fit the understated allure of the french fashion house.

Shot at Studio 7L in Paris, in front of Karl Lagerfeld’s lens, Vanessa Paradis picks up the irresistible bags from the Coco Cocoon handbag line.

“I have often photographed her for magazines or advertising campaigns and each time it’s a pleasure,” explains Karl Lagerfeld in between shots. “She really gives the impression that she is instantly on your level when you are working with her. People think she’s wonderful. She plays the game spontaneously, she is super natural. And above all, she creates harmony all around her. We have formed a real bond in our working relationship. She has been to my studio a number of times, and it’s as if she were coming to the house for dinner.”

For more on Chanel Coco Cocoon, including behind-the-scene images of the photo shoot and more product detail, visit Coco Cocoon online.

source/images: Chanel Coco Cocoon

Is Chanel Courting a New Head Designer?

Not sure how I feel about this. I really, really don't want to see Karl Lagerfeld retire or leave Chanel, though I certainly wouldn't begrudge him his intentions for future leisure if he is so inclined - plus, I do adore Alber Elbaz.

What's this all about?
All the fashion world's a-buzz with talk that Karl Lagerfeld may be exiting Chanel and Alber Elbaz, of Lanvin, may be about to enter. NY Magazine reports rumors surfaced last summer that Karl Lagerfeld did not renew his contract at Chanel and that Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz would take his place. At the time both houses, Chanel and Lanvin, quickly denied that rumor, but it was resurrected this past weekend on grazia.com.au.  Sources say Grazia became alarmed after fashion blogger Tommy Ton tweeted he was sitting on some news that will "SHAKE the fashion world":

We at grazia.com.au think we might know what this earth-shattering news might be — with rumours circulating that Karl Lagerfeld’s tenure at Chanel is coming to an end and none other than Alber Elbaz will be announced as his successor. There’s no doubt the talented Lanvin designer is more than capable of filling Big Karl’s CC-logoed shoes.

Saying they expect an announcement to come "very, very soon," we're all ears ourselves for the plans. Whatcha think, can you imagine Chanel without Karl? I don't know; I'm really having a hard time with this.

sources/images: NY Mag, Allure, eonline

Chanel Spring 2010 RTW

I'm in love with Karl Lagerfeld's Spring 2010 RTW collection for Chanel shown in Paris yesterday. Still trying to get all the deets on hair and beauty, which was stunningly feminine, but will share what I know at this point as I just can't wait. x




The catwalk: country life amid a farmhouse reminiscent of Marie Antoinette's petit hameau. The clothing - exquisite. Models looking like Bardot-esque french maidens daintily clad in pale pink, white, black and gray painstakingly beautiful creations of tweed, lace, hems with frayed edges, sheer ribbons woven into fabric accentuated clothing and accessories, jackets belted and loose, suits and skirts cut into sculpted bells, floral frocks, high-heeled clogs - Lagerfeld nicknamed "5 o'clogs" - and flowered heels befitting of a queen. An occasional piece in french red or pale, shimmering gold enlivened the collection, adding warmth and intrigue. Sheer, delicate red, white and blue dresses lent the spirit of Paris in springtime to the show.

Of course, already firing up twitter waves, the blogosphere and online beauty mags alike is the revelation of Chanel Beauty Creative Director Peter Philips' nail polish for the season, a blended purplish, taupey gray, which is being compared to OPI's You Don't Know Jacques and Parlez Vous as well as Sephora's Metro Chic (a creation by OPI as well). Well, we knew taupey grays were gonna be BIG come fall, didn't we? Looks like they'll be around, in varying shades and mutations, for a while.



Lagerfeld left no detail unchecked; and would we expect anything less? Current muse and face of the new Coco Cocoon handbag collection for Chanel, Lily Allen, performed the show opener beneath a rustic pergola. Fair french countryside maidens romped through the hay adorned with soft penciled tattoos displaying iconic Chanel imagery and faux chain garters (the temporary tatts - a popular trend throughout Spring 2010 fashion shows, e.g. Rodarte, Galliano too). Lagerfeld took his ending walk down the runway amidst a staged menage a trois delighting in a playful romp in the hay. The collection, as the show itself, is such a splendid treat in visual stimulation, it's almost too gluttonous for earthly consumption. Just delicious!

images: elle, wwd, nymag