Chanel's Spring 2010 Collection

Chanel can once again be dubbed the classiest collection of the season. Karl Lagerfield has once again created a collection that is the very essence of Parisian fashion. And I, once again, am SPEECHLESS.. Well not really, I could talk about Karl's creations for the majority of my life! If you know anything about anything in fashion, you could spot a Chanel garment from a mile away. The vision of the brand has changed little since Coco was designing, but absolutely not because of lack of creativity, because there is no reason to alter perfection. This collection definitely stayed true to the brand, to Karl, and to Coco herself. Classic but refreshed, evolved.

I thought it was very interesting how the collection was womenswear but on a few occasions a male model donning Chanel menswear that was nearly identical to the outfit on the female model would come out and walk down the runway with her. Perhaps to emphasize the androgyny of the designs?

Some of the pieces in this collection just scream Paris. The boat neck dress with a ribbon on the front, the black dress with poofed sleeves and transparent material, the creme colored tea cup figured dress with the big hat. This collection clearly paid homage to every aspect of Parisian fashion and displayed it at it's pinnacle. But of course with Lagerfield's personal edge to it.

I've been loving the fitted blazer look lately, and the way they were pairing it with a feminine skirt and delicate accessories at the Chanel show made the entire look much softer. Everyone tries to emulate the ritzy schoolgirl look, but let's be honest, nobody does it with such accuracy, precision, and elegance as Chanel.

Above are just some pieces I thought were very interesting and really stood out from the collection to me. I thought the pantless look on the left was risque but definitely classy. The middle look interested me mainly with the detailed metal sash that was slung across the models body over a cardigan. And on the right the full-length sheer material over a mini skirt shows just enough skin without actually putting it all out there.

Chanel Cruise 2010 Ad Campaign

The Chanel Cruise 2010 collection was just presented in Venice and already the ad campaign is out! The ads were shot by Karl Lagerfeld, featuring models Baptiste Giabiconi and Karen Elson. Taking place in a shadowed hotel room with subtle red curtains and bed spead, Karl was, without a doubt, attempting to portray something sinister with these photographs. He commented on the shoot saying, "Venie has a genuine dark and mysterious side to it that fascinated me. I really like the Italian spirit and Venetian lifestyle."

High-fashion on the Web

Over the years, high-fashion labels have advertised from television to magazines and billboards. It is only recently though that these companies have caught on the the internet craze. Labels, like Chanel and Dior, have realeased what they are calling "short films" to promote their clothing and accessories. The Chanel film is a five minute video called "Fitting Room Follies" of Lara Stone, a dutch Model who currently resides in Paris, and a male model, in a fitting room trying on clothing. This video looks like it was done with a home video camera or even a digital camera. The Dior film obviously took more time, money, and creativity than Chanel's, which was released just days before. The Dior film is set in Paris where Marion Cotillard, an Academy Award winning actress, scales the Eiffle Tower in heels that, how do I put this, should only be worn on sold ground! This film features French gangsters, the Lady Dior handbag (which was the focus of this video), a hostaged man, and a getaway that looks like it belongs in a Bond film. Oh, did I mention that Dior is coming out with a Part Two?

click for Chanel's short film
click here for Dior's short film

Directed(?) by Karl Lagerfeld

Directed by Oliver Dahan

Chanel Cruise 2010

Karl Lagerfeld recently presented the Chanel Cruise 2010 collection at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Lido Resort (one of Coco Chanel's favorite summer spots) in Venice. Karl was very particular about the timing of the show, he made the guests wait nearly two hours for sunset, but I'm sure everyone would agree that it was worth the wait! Not to mention that the guests were all comfortably seated in reclining sun beds in the famous white-tented cabanas. This collection was very appealing to me because of it's vintage nautical influence. Karl was designing with the 1930's Venetian society in mind and I can say without hesitation what is shown from the models' bob hairstyles and heavy makeup, to the detail on the buttons, his impeccable eye for details really seems to take you back to that time. Featuring parasols, stunning beach wear, boat-neck sweaters, nautical stripes, knitted menswear, and beautiful dresses, this collection is just in time for summer!