Models.com

For those who doubted it, here is the proof that Carine Roitfeld hasn't disappeared. She has been working with Kar Lagerfeld on his latest Chanel campaign, which she styled he shot.

I think the adverts are really great because they still look very Chanel but they feel edgier and cool. I can't possibly say how Carine has managed to put Freja in this feline styling without looking silly. The balaclava with the Chanel flowers that didn't work on Claudia as ears and whisker are quite witty and they actually look super chic! I also love the fact that it's in a photobooth.

The second picture released is in the same settings and also with Freja but looks completely different. Her hair is messy and she looks slightly rough. And I can't really read what's written on her forehead (Il n'y a pas de...) but I have the feeling it's something funny.

What do you think of this campaign?

So much fuss for this?

When Blake Lively was announced as the new face of Chanel (or the Mademoiselle line, to be more precise) I was pretty excited. Anna Wintour is usually very right in her celebrity recommendations to designers. And after the infamous Chanel yeti campaign I expected, at least, something a little more original than a bunch of bland pictures shot at the famous mirrored staircase of Coco's apartment. Blake does look beautiful, but there's no effort involved in making her look that good. Not to mention that the bag line in question is damn ugly. Frankly, I am disappointed and bored. If Lagerfeld doesn't feel motivated to shoot without Giabiconi in the picture maybe he should hire Mario or Patrick to take the pictures for him every so often... What do you think?

I'm off.

[Pictures: RDuJour.com]

Le Chanel Couture jean

After being surprisingly awed by Alexis Mabille, slightly disappointed by Christian Dior and half amazed and half baffled by Armani Privé it came as a relief that Kaiser Karl decided to go back to basics for his Chanel S/S11 Haute Couture collection. Putting aside how admirable it is that he has single-handedly designed a 66-look collection only weeks before his equally broad ready-to-wear line is due out, what I was most stunned by the subtlety of its richness. Most particularly by the jeans. It seems ever so wonderful and brilliant to me that a house such as Chanel would make the epitome of casual wear in a way that qualifies as Couture. Forget your Japanese denim, none other than Chanel's is better made. The light blue and pink wash and the button detailing at the bottom make them extremely timeless and classy but there is also a certain contemporary aspect to them. I'm definitely expecting Emmanuelle Alt and Géraldine Saglio, perhaps even Alexa Chung (and, oh lord, Anna Wintour in jeans?!) very soon!

I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com]

I've got the biggest Chanel bag!

Big (or huge) bags started becoming a trend many seasons ago. They spread out so quickly and efficiently they are now not only a must-have but pretty much an essential that's present in most women's accessories array. During this time there was a brand which stood out the most not only because of the amazing design but because of the astonishing size he gave the bags. Who else but Karl Lagerfeld would have first brought out a traveling-bag-size croc shopping back? And who else would've continued producing an even bigger patent leather tote and quilted oversized version of the iconic 2.55? I was surfing the web today and came across a picture of Ashlee Simpson carrying a humongous Chanel vintage bag, which reminded me of my friend Tala's (from MyFashDiary) and its older sisters carried by Ashley Olsen and Diane Kruger (for the brand's advert).

What are your thoughts on massive bags? Do you like something halfway or are you a clutch kind of girl?
I'm off.

[Pictures: MyFashDiary.com, theVogueDiaries.com, mary-kateandashleyimages.com]

Coco Lagerfeld

If I didn't know any better I would have thought Karl Lagerfeld's mind had been on holiday for the last two seasons. His last couple of collections for Chanel were undeniably innovative but one could hardly see any of Gabrielle Chanel's essence in them. For SS11 the Kaiser has changed that. He disobeyed last season's pas de noir rule, purposely avoided colour blocking and payed a visit to the house's archives. The collection wasn't fashion-forward, it was current —something very few people can achieve— and it combined traditional tweeds and camellia prints with modern materials from around the world. The absence of yeti attire called for a different type of extravagance, which came in the shape of outstanding workmanship very close to that of couture. Hair was substituted by feather embroidery and taken to the extreme on the apricot ostrich feather look worn by Karmen Kass.

Everything was framed by a modern take of a jardin français, which took over the Petit Palais, fountains included. Over 80 models strolled around the garden. Anja Rubik, Abbey Lee Kershaw and Freja Beha Erichsen were joined by Brad Koenig (son in hand), Baptiste Giabiconi and even Inès de la Fressange, who hadn't walked for Chanel in decades.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com]

Lagerfeld Confidential: the music

I just watched 'Lagerfeld Confidential' for the fifth time. I originally thought of making a post about the film but I realised how pointless it'd be now that the film has been out for three years. One of the things I love the most about the documentary, apart from Karl's priceless quotes, is the music. I don't know if Karl had anything to do with the selection of the music but I do find some sort of link between the taste in music of the film and that of 'Les Musiques que J'aime' (a double CD with Karl's favourite tunes). In any case, I thought I'd share my three favourite songs from the documentary with you as I can't seem to get them out of my head or my Spotify. (Click on the iPods to listen to the music)

            

If you haven't watched 'Lagerfeld Confidential' yet, please do. Not only it is an absolute pleasure to watch but the style of the editing and the shooting are very interesting. And you'd be dead if by the time it ends you don't feel an unstoppable rush of inspiration that makes you draw, rethink your life or have a dance to Duran Duran on the sofa.

I'm off.

hedonistic ode

Some say fashion is not all fun and glamour. But it can certainly be for some. Karl Lagerfeld brought all his muses, favourite models, actresses and boy-toys to Saint Tropez for a triple date of bike rides, Bocce (a pétanque variety) and movie dates.

The night before the Chanel Cruise 2011 show Kaiser Karl gathered Diane Kruger, Vanessa Paradis, Karolina Kurkova, Leigh Lezark and Garance Doré (among many others) for a game of pétanque, for which the balls had been religiously engraved with the required C's. Please, do not miss Derek Blasberg's report for Style.com.

The collection wasn't too bad for a mid-season one. There was something slightly ironic about the 60's/70's vibe of the clothes. The awkward fits of the trousers and unfinished hemlines somehow reminded me of a 90's interpretation of hippy clothes. There was something deliciously bad about some of the pieces that contrasted well with the final more chic ones. A tasteful take on tackiness that restored faith in Karl inside me after the FW10 let down.

"Remember Now", Karl's short film, doesn't have a plot but it follows a coherent chronological line through which he portrays himself. It is delightfully Warholian in a 21st-century manner that would have moistened Andy's eyes. Lagerfeld lets us in into his hedonistic world (collection of iPods included) where beautiful people wear beautiful clothes in beautiful places. A place where Baptiste is omnipresent with a meticulously messy quiff and where the Kaiser is God and wears all-white, all-Chanel.

"You asked if I liked to dance.

I don't, anymore.

Now I like...

Age makes you voyeuristic"

I'm off.

[Sources: WWD.com, TheFashionSpot.com, Style.com]

the return of the yeti

It is funny how it never occurred to Kaiser Karl that this moment would come, even for him. The probability theory proves that, even with the best skills, winning every time is just not possible. If Lagerfeld thought we would simply shiver in awe at his signature on the Chanel label, he thought wrong. Chanel's FW10 was a very unrealistic show —an über-amusing one— that scarcely provided the surmised dose of tweed and proved that even the biggest and most established can have delirious of grandeur. While other designers gave preference to practicality before lavishness, even jeopardising a considerable part of his "classics", the Chanel tweed pieces displayed to please the eye but not the wearer.

Shoes and boots walked the runway in the shape of drenched heeled yeti footwear and matronly boots that were an unsuccessful intent to reinvent the black and white Chanel boot.

Menswear, which at Chanel has always been merely indulgent, this time seemed more like an opportunity to display Baptiste Giabiconi and Brad Koenig. Karl has said of Giabiconi, his muse, that he looks just as good with clothes as he does undressed. If we judge by the way he dressed at Chanel, well, make your own conclusions.

The only part that I did love about the whole collection were, apart from the jewellery, these tweed covers for hot water bottles. I predict an it-bag hit for Sundance and future icy fashion weeks the likes of this past one.

[Pictures: Style.com]

I'm off.

never look at the camera & bejewelled

I has promised myself I would not post any more ad campaigns —unless something really exciting happened, that is. The SS10 Dior Homme campaign falls into this last category not only because Kris Van Assche deserves an A+ but because the pictures were taken by Monsieur Lagerfeld. And I am digging the looking away from the camera, don't know why.

I was having a random look online yesterday when I found the Lanvin parrot cuff which made me wish I had a very decadent girlfriend I could give it to. But it also made me think of how cool and versatile Lanvin jewellery is as you can throw it on a grey tee and look fashion-forward or make your LBD the most glamourous piece of clothing.

Lanvin jewellery @ MyTheresa.com

I'm off.

i wake up and only look at pictures

Today I woke up and realised I hadn't seen any of the SS10 new advertorial campaigns. Something that is quite weird in me as I like having seen every single shot before they get splashed across the first pages of Vogue. I only found Lanvin (love the movement) and Louis Vuitton (so glad they ditched Madonna for Lara Stone) but give me some credit, it's 9 o'clock on a Saturday morning and the wine didn't stop coming last night. On the way, I found these amazing pictures by Karl Lagerfeld that are part of the calendar he has created for Italian Marie Claire taking inspiration from Italian cinema and featuring Ana Mouglalis and Baptiste Giabiconi —Nine, anyone?
[Credits: WWD.com]

I'm off.

speechless

Karl et moi at a lovely intimate soiree.

[Picture credit: Style.com]

I'm off.

sunday morning

I have drag myself to write a little post today to create in my mind the blurry mirage of something useful done on a cloudy Sunday. Saturday afternoon was filled with fashion discoveries; I promised myself to find things out of the ordinary so I headed to El Born, the best place in Barcelona to realize this endeavour. I came across great pieces by Marc Jacobs, Paul Smith and Daniele Alessandrini, to finally find the bargain of the day —a K by Karl Lagerfeld t-shirt with his comic-like face stamped on it. Following visits to diverse vintage shops lost beside La Rambla offered me ridiculously priced tailored shirts by Givenchy and other well-skilled fellows I banned myself from acquiring without thinking it over for a day or two.

What do you think about my acquisition?

Now, and to fill this a little more, I shall proceed to answer the few questions from the Thinking Blogging Award passed on to me from Bronwyn of FashionAbility, whose blog I highly recommend visiting if you haven't yet. Here we go.

What is the story behind the name of your blog and nickname?

My blog's name comes from a brainstorming session that took place years ago when I first opened my now long-evaporated msn space. I wanted the name to scream exclusivity, something I've always adored and pursuit. My nickname is simply my name, it's Spanish.

What has been your best or worst blogging experience?

I'd say it has been a great experience from day one. I wouldn't consider it as bad, but it was a little frustrating at first not finding comments at all. When all sorts of people from all around the globe started commenting I couldn't be more glad, thank you all!

What do you want to happen to your blog in 2008?

I just hope to be coming up with great ideas I can share will all of you. I really wish I could sometime be some sort of reference in this world.

I know I should be passing this to someone else, but I feel i shouldn't because otherwise this will never have an end. There's a top blogging section on the right side, there you can find my favourite blogs, but I don't reckon I should choose anyone because every blog has something different and special, that's what keeps us all interested.

I'm off.

welcome on board of CHANEL airlines

I will be your steward throughout this flight. I'll do everything in my hand to make your journey as pleasant as possible.
The genious Kaiser of fashion presented a couple of weeks ago his collection of masterpieces for Chanel: the Cruise 2008 collection. Cruise is the freshest invention from the kings of design in order to make us look our best when we take that well-deserved break from our hectic lives of entrepeneurs in the middle of the winter. So let's say we go for a weekend to Bahamas, this way we can buy the most fashionable swim suits and shorts but also the greatest trench coats and gowns and outfits for an escape to a cooler place.


It is absolutely maginificent how many different styles and therefore outfits and possibilities of matching garments we can find for women. From jeans with very "Lagerfeld" shirts to gauze cocktail dresses or the signature tweed ensembles. Whatever you choose to wear there is something very clear: the sixties are back! Chanel is one of the lead designer brands in the world not only for its outstanding ability of renewing itself not jeopardicing the original concept of Coco, but also for the capacity of using the hair as if it was like any other accessory. This time, since it's the 60's, it comes down quite long and in rather a messy way. I can't help thinking of Charlotte of Monaco, she always looks so chic even with flip-flops or having her hair done "à la i-just-get-out-of-bed". As Lagerfeld always says, don't expect baggy pants from him; and he knows how to keep a promise. The waists go up and the width stays skinny; but, although skinny won't come off the throne, bell-bottomed jeans come back —yet once more— to "fever-night" our lives. The german designer has very much restricted the color palette to grey, black, white and blue. This restriction puts the collection in sort of an hiatus on time, making out of it an espectacular compilation of timeless pieces that will last forever.
There is, though, a particular outfit that I specially loved. Since the collection was presented on a plane hangar in Santa Monica, CA, and the models came out of Challenger 601 jets, there is also a certain airline vibe. This takes shape in a look masterly described by Nicole Phelps form Style.com as a "cross between a captain's uniform and a first-class passenger travel outfit". This means a navy suit with hues of red, blue, green, white and black on the sleeves of the blazer. Now, for my most desirable item from the Cruise collection, I must highlight the über-original suede peep-toed boots in greyish blue and black and with a bunch of wrinkles at the top which confer them more of a casual touch.

Now, to get it over with the ladies-wear, we'll talk about the trends of this summer that have survived and united the Cruise collection together with the way in which Karl Lagerfeld introduces his very own phrase of color. Along with the basic color that we have already talked about, army green plays quite a significant role on this collection, giving a different tone to the rather serious ensembles. Green is not, however, the only color to use. I know I said there wasn't colorful clothing, and I was not lying; but the Chief of the french brand brings it in through accesories. We do can find some tops with plenty of hues of bright nature, but necklaces and bracelets and hair bands or simply sunglasses or belts are in charge of this task and —I have to say— quite successfully. Plastic, which is due to spread through bags and shoes this summer, will still be one of the main fabrics on the ladies' beloved accessories and it will also show up as detail of some of the cocktail gowns to update them.




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Having the women's and men's line inspirated-alike seems to be becoming the next craze among designers. Frida Giannini started it and everyone seems to be following.The color palette for guys is exactly the same as for girls, but the whole concept to the collection is much more casual and made for the day-to-day life to be chicly dressed in sportswear.
First of, it is funny finding the exact same outfit to the airline-inspirated suit for women as it is also funny to find some other correspondances between the ladies' and men's wear.

However, as much shared inspiration as both collections have, grey is, by far, the protagonist for men; it comes in different shades and joins navy blue for the perfect dressed-up casual look. Jackets cover most of the outfits in the shape of blazer-cutted garments which lay over simple stripped shirts and plain white tees. Cargo shorts join cigarrette, classic pants in navy and grey sometimes also with very fine stripes. I particularly loved all the looks for the male body because they reach the perfect symbiosis point of classyness and modernity. Straight lines predominate, waists —as it happened with girls— go up (not so happy about that!) and tops get fitted to mark more our muscles —those who have some anyway; it all doesn't stop the entire set of clothes from being extremely fresh and —I'm sure— absolutely comfortable.
So it is all about keepeing it simple and clean and relaxed and culminating it with great sneackers in the same colors of the garments and, of course, adding your very own details to share space with the espectacular art of Herr Lagerfeld.


But now, before I take my leave, I feel in my duty of talking shortly about the terrific avalanche of celebrities that attended the showcase. We're talking Demi Moore, Lindsay Lohan, Diane Kruger, Victoria Beckham and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (notice her particular perfection and style)



































I hope you had a nice flight. Thank you for flying with Chanel airlines and we hope to see you again on board soon!

I'm off.