style.com review:
Only in New York Chanel's Pre-Fall Show Spares No Expense
December 9, 2005 – Karl Lagerfeld pulled out all the stops and then some to present Chanel's latest pre-fall collection on Wednesday night. First, there was the matter of the show's location: The 57th Street flagship was shut down for two days beforehand. Then there was the carefully choreographed event itself, with nouveau folkie Devendra Banhart playing live for an audience that included Lindsay Lohan, Ashley Olsen, Diane Kruger, and more socials than you could shake a quilted bag at. As for the clothes, they were decidedly not of the tossed-off variety.
Like a proud parent, Lagerfeld was keen to showcase the intricate beadwork of the legendary Lesage atelier, one of the métiers d'art that Chanel acquired earlier this decade. Glinting crystals embellished the arms of quilted black velvet jackets, and harlequins of red and gold bugle beads decorated chiffon gowns. They were among the only flashes of color in a mostly black-and-white collection, which, despite the satin stovepipes worn underneath tweed skirts and plenty of foppish ties, was more ladylike than garçon. Perhaps that can be attributed to the models' cherry-red lips and marcel waves held back by black satin ribbons, not to mention the mountains of costume jewelry—pearls, cuffs, brooches, and even rhinestone-encrusted T-straps. Count on those accessories to keep the boutique's cash registers ringing long after the show's temporary wallpaper has come down.
–Nicole Phelps
