Chanel S/S 10 Paris

[BonjourTristesse]

The clothes were beautiful. Stunning.
But am I the only one who thinks the farmscenery totally distracted from the models - being it in a good or bad way... The clothes kind of got lost in uniqueness of the set I think...

 

[fashionista-ta]

Sigh. I'm not trying to be enigmatic here...think Marie Antoinette, decadent, rich b*tch, beheaded, think Evita Peron, decadent rich b*tch, ADORED. Think what is the difference. Did Chanel have to come down to the level of the proles? Of course not. It has to stay regal, dreamy, classy, eternally admired, pretty and white as cake frosting, like those models, what Stam, Sasha, Lily Donaldson, but it has to shake "the people's hands" so to speak, aristocratically aloof but NOT alienating, never. So the people, rich and especially the middle and poor, happily hand over their cash. This is why I said it's chutzpah - the truth is of course Evita Peron is no different from Marie Antoinette, and KL is dangerously toying with making the truth a bit more explicit, he is *that* cocky and confident in the magic he's woven. Karl Lagerfeld's (and all those designer houses that try to emulate him) genius is walking this tightrope and keeping this Myth alive, is all. It's no small feat, I might add. But there's no fashion history to be made here.

As far as I can tell, Karl is pretty much amoral, so there's not much depth to plumb there ...

To me, he's not responsible for moving fashion forward, but for moving Chanel forward, and I think he did that here.

I don't think 'the poor' are shelling out for Chanel. At least in this country, Chanel doesn't tend to be a brand of choice for those who truly can't afford it.

I think the theme does relate to the economy, but what exactly is a designer to do? He wants people to keep walking through his doors and spending money.

More than one website/catalog where I shop has posted very thoughtful commentary on the economy and how it relates to their expectations for their own business. I'm not expecting that from Karl, and neither am I a Chanel customer. But I do think what he's done here generally strikes the right note for someone who is going to walk through his doors and spend money. Much of it is understated, yet luxurious--which I think is the note that's called for from luxury brands right now. Utilitarian goods are not their business after all ...

 

[Boomer]

But I do think what he's done here generally strikes the right note for someone who is going to walk through his doors and spend money. Much of it is understated, yet luxurious--which I think is the note that's called for from luxury brands right now. Utilitarian goods are not their business after all ...

Ralph Lauren did the same thing- lots of denim and Depression Era music- even a luxury evening dress that was cut as a pair of overalls! I think it is simply relating to the times; after all, society women in New York have asked designer stores to use plain shopping bags with no name and hold trunk shows at people's apartments so they are not seen walking out of expensive stores!! Bizarre, but if your husband is a high profile CEO, you need to protect your frugal image sometimes... The point is, adjusting your product line and marketing, including fashion shows, to the reality of the times is just good business..

 

[sonja1980]

a great show
funny
different
nice collection
Freja's jacket was incredible.. love it and not to mentioned the front row!!!

 

[topfashionista]

I agree this was an amazing show!

 

[Boomer]

I love everything about the Chanel shows- clothes, models, front row,backstage, sets...But I was particularly taken by Lily's 'back-up singers' (?) They were a riot! So...umm, not rehearsed...! This show was just different, clever and fun! I don't think Karl gets enough credit for packaging unique collections and shows...

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I think everyone is giving him unique this time

 

[cultstatus]

can someone please explain the inclusion of blackberrys on the catwalk as pointed out by an earlier poster, I don't get it???

 

[Lanick]

nothing special and new...but location is very interesting

 

[Zazie]

As far as I can tell, Karl is pretty much amoral, so there's not much depth to plumb there ...

To me, he's not responsible for moving fashion forward, but for moving Chanel forward, and I think he did that here.

I don't think 'the poor' are shelling out for Chanel. At least in this country, Chanel doesn't tend to be a brand of choice for those who truly can't afford it.

I think the theme does relate to the economy, but what exactly is a designer to do? He wants people to keep walking through his doors and spending money.

More than one website/catalog where I shop has posted very thoughtful commentary on the economy and how it relates to their expectations for their own business. I'm not expecting that from Karl, and neither am I a Chanel customer. But I do think what he's done here generally strikes the right note for someone who is going to walk through his doors and spend money. Much of it is understated, yet luxurious--which I think is the note that's called for from luxury brands right now. Utilitarian goods are not their business after all ...

Never said KL was in any way moral...but well, then his "Coco ecolo" bs should be called. The poor of course save up for Chanel, a lipstick here, a compact there, even credit card debt for a Chanel bag. Houses like Dior, Chanel, LV make much more money from the merchandising. I think consumer debt in the US is a serious social and economic problem, and you don't go broke splurging on cheap $1 Chinese goods at WalMart - other than mortages, home improvement, cars, etc., what else...? It'll be interesting to consider this simply from a social perspective in understanding our times.

 

[sethii]

 

[Boomer]

Does anyone know who the backup 'singers' are here? They certainly look like models- they tower over Lily and do not appear to be, umm, professional dancers.. I thought maybe they were extra models put to work, they don't seem to have spent too much time rehearsing... This was such a fun show!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OooqvrqLD98

 

[fashionista-ta]

Never said KL was in any way moral...but well, then his "Coco ecolo" bs should be called. The poor of course save up for Chanel, a lipstick here, a compact there, even credit card debt for a Chanel bag. Houses like Dior, Chanel, LV make much more money from the merchandising. I think consumer debt in the US is a serious social and economic problem, and you don't go broke splurging on cheap $1 Chinese goods at WalMart - other than mortages, home improvement, cars, etc., what else...? It'll be interesting to consider this simply from a social perspective in understanding our times.

Maybe it all depends on what one's definition of poor is Speaking from what I see here, the poor are not saving up for Chanel or incurring credit card debt for it. (The poor don't have credit cards ...) Lots of middle class people think that department stores that sell Chanel are too expensive for them to even go into. I agree that consumer debt is a serious problem, but I can't really hold Karl responsible for it ...

 

[sethii]

Does anyone know who the backup 'singers' are here? They certainly look like models- they tower over Lily and do not appear to be, umm, professional dancers.. I thought maybe they were extra models put to work, they don't seem to have spent too much time rehearsing... This was such a fun show!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OooqvrqLD98

They are models (Iekeliene and Charlotte) - modelling the collection

 

[Boomer]

^ Ah- Fantastic- Thanks!! I don't know why, but I think that is the funniest part of the whole thing!!

 

[Boomer]

They are models (Iekeliene and Charlotte) - modelling the collection

They are being featured on the Chanel.com website! B)

 

[Escale Cherie II]

Agree 100%

I don't understand why people are swooning over this collection. It really is all a bit farcicle. Besides, it reminds me of when Dolce&Gabbana did the whole farm-chic thing, and if I must say so, they did it much better.

I'm sorry but I fail to see how this is a decent collection. 80% of it is in bad taste (clogs, straw on bags, ironic tatoos, etc) and the other 20% is nothing new or particularly exciting.

And what irks me most of all is the lack of criticism. Will anyone ever criticize a Chanel collection? I swear, I had never read a bad review of his work. Journalists and editors seem to praise his work unconditionally. Why can't someone for once be honest about the kistchy aspects of his work?

Agree, and agree with what Dior-Couture1245 said.
I think people are just so blinded by their love of Karl/Chanel and he himself and the brand that they'll take anything. If it had been another designer for another brand, there probably wouldn't be so much...excitement.

Don't get me wrong. I still like the collection-I like the hair and makeup and the set and a few things. I think the shoes are hideous, and I think there are too many looks, as usual, and I don't get why Lily Allen is there. The details are very beautiful And some of the dresses, jackets and bags are classic, Chanel staples, but still not boring

 

[Boomer]

^ Well, Lily is doing the ads for their new handbag, actually luggage, line; Karl just shot some fashion ads with she and Baptiste and she has a minor hit country sort of song there, so that all makes sense, no? And the outfits are very nice examples of Chanel in general- I get the feeling that everyone was taken away by the set and the clogs; I think they were just fun, lighthearted and a good idea at this particular time of pretty much global worries...I hated the flats in the HC show last year and didn't care for the granny stockings on the models in last Fall's RTW show- but ignoring those I loved many other parts of the collections and the actual shows! Maybe just getting away from Chanel's typical urbane, sophisticated image was too much for some- as were his hot pants outfits many years ago; Chanel and the world were supposed to be coming to an end back then, too!!

 

[*ana*]

i really liked the collection, there were some very beautiful looks, and the show was so fun. i don't even mind the ugly clogs. i think karl succeeded in making something fun and sophisticated at the same time. and i loved the leg tattoos!

 

[Party_Vixen]

Love this collection. Very fresh and young. The embroidery is immaculate.

And the threesome between Lara, Freja and Baptiste sealed the deal for me .