CHANEL GOES PUNK: Chanel has tapped an unconventional muse — Alice Dellal, the London-based socialite-turned-model — as the face of its Boy Chanel handbag collection. The news confirms a report that ran in WWD on Dec. 12. A drummer in the band Thrush Metal, Dellal, who wears a nose ring and has a half-shaved head, is known for her punk-rock style.
“[Karl Lagerfeld] had a crush on this unique, charismatic young lady, who is both a model and musician, during a photo shoot several months ago,” stated Chanel. “This previously unforeseen alliance finally became self-evident. Alice Dellal represents the perfect incarnation of all that is unique about the Boy Chanel handbag collection, which strives [to be] far from conformist notions of femininity.”
Chanel released a behind-the-scenes shot of Karl Lagerfeld photographing Dellal for the bag collection’s advertising campaign exclusively to WWD today. In the image, she is perched atop an ornate desk in an antiques-filled Haussmannian apartment and holds a steel gray quilted handbag from the collection. Dellal wears a girly cream Chanel ensemble. A black bow and pearl barrette adorn her hair, which is styled in a single side braid.
The campaign will be released worldwide in March.
Muses selected in the past by Lagerfeld, who is known for his eclectic casting in the handbag campaigns he photographs for Chanel, include Jerry Hall, Lily Allen, Rinko Kikuchi, Blake Lively and Diane Kruger.
Dellal has appeared in advertising for Mango and Agent Provocateur, as well.