Eyes to the Sky: Color Theory...Fall is Green with Envy

Kelly, Forest, Mint…This Fall Green means GO! From top to bottom, green was a predominant color on the catwalks for Fall fashions. Shown in big doses or small hints, shock the masses with Marc Jacobs Kelly Green outerwear or perhaps add a touch with accessories from Balenciaga or Louis Vuitton. With so many shades to choose from, you are certain to find a hue perfect for you.

Chanel Métiers D’Art Pre-Fall 2009 Paris-Moscou

A few months back we showed you the indulgent Chanel Métiers D’Art Pre-Fall 2009 Paris-Moscou collection and the coordinating Paris-Moscou nail colours, and now we dug up some more photos of the collection to share with you.  If you know me, you know that I love all things Chanel, but this collection is one of the best I’ve seen.

Karl Lagerfeld is a master and staying true to the roots of the house of Chanel, while also injecting youth, fun an creativity into everything he does.  I love that he really digs deep into the inspiration behind a line, researches all of the nuances, and translates them into elaborate, whimsical clothing and accessories.

Chanel Métiers D’Art Pre-Fall 2009 Paris-Moscou

The Paris-Moscou theme stems from Chanel’s connections to exiled Russian royalty and her relationships with them influenced some of her collections.  I’m not sure if the timing of this collection was intentional, but this year also marks the release of a film detailing the love affair Mlle. Chanel had with another famous Russian, Igor Stravinsky.  Coincidence, or not, the Paris-Moscou collection has a fairytale quality to it - they seem the perfect pieces for a young czarina.

Ballet Costumes Designed by Coco Chanel for "Le Train Bleu" 1924 (Chanel & Her World, Edmonde Charles-Roux, p.214)

In the 1920s, Coco Chanel was a rising star in the cultural scene and her social circle included people like Pablo Picasso (cubist painter), Sergei Diaghilev (founder of the Ballet Russes), Jean Cocteau (writer/playwright) and Igor Stravinsky.  Her social relationships transformed into working projects, and because of her illustrious friends, Chanel designed costumes for several ballets.

Now, Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld designed an exclusive costume for Senior Principal Dancer Elena Glurdjidze of the English National Ballet.  The costume is for “The Dying Swan” and took 3 women over 100 hours to make.  The tutu is made of a variety of feathers and is truly a work of art in and of itself.  The costume will make its stage debut on June 16th in London before making its way to Barcelona.  Watch the video below of Elena Glurdjidze gliding down the stairs and performing at the the Chanel Haute Couture Salon…

"The Dying Swan" Ballet Costume Designed by Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel) for the English National Ballet

"The Dying Swan" Ballet Costume Designed by Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel) for the English National Ballet

Sneaker Freaker Feature: Is High Fashion Really the New SB?

There is no doubt in my mind that high fashion influences low fashion and vice versa.  In Issue #15 of Sneaker Freaker Magazine, the sneaker enthusiasts take a deep look into the phenomenon that is the high end sneaker in the feature ‘Is High Fashion Really the New SB?’. The article examines the many ways in which high end fashion has influenced the sneaker game and in turn how the sneaker culture and low end fashion has caused luxury labels to go back to the drawing board and create a little something for the streets.

Is Gucci the New SB?

Is Louis the New SB?

Taking an in depth look at a few of the worlds most prestigious luxury brands and their past and present involvement in the sneaker world, are none other than a few of our favorite women. Tee from TrashBag Aesthetics/Trenddoll covering the Kanye West favored Louis Vuitton, Claw Money of Blogue covering Gucci, and our very own Miss Mama reporting on Chanel are not only outstanding voices in the article, but they also happen to be apart of our ‘Women Making History’ series here at M.I.S.S. Crew.

Is Chanel the New SB?

This article is filled to the brim with information, insight, and not to mention tons of pictures of the illest kicks in the land. From my personal favorites Lanvin, and Jeremy Scott all the way down to the M.I.S.S. 2009 Calendar ‘Chanails’ featuring Chanel sneakers, this feature has got it all.

A little high end, a little low end, and a whole lot of drooling over the most covented kicks on the planet isn’t a bad way to kill some time. What do you think?

Karl Lagerfield to voice villain in the French animated film, Totally Spies

As fabu-lous as Karl Lagerfield is, some find his look rather menacing. Well, now he can TRULY be deemed a villain, as it was recently announced that the creative director of Chanel will be the voice of villain Fabu (fabu-lous!) in the French animated film Totally Spies.

The film is based on a TV series about three high school girls who become secret agents. We are hoping here at M.I.S.S. that they are dressed more like runway models and less like Powderpuff Girls. We didn’t see full images of the villian Fabu, but all we can picture is the villain from Inspector Gadget with the bionic glove/arm. That would be totally appropriate for Mr. Lagerfield! To top it all off, he should have a villainous sidekick voiced by Lindsay Lohan. Now THAT would be Fabu.

CHANEL Tokyo Happening

A few months ago, Chanel opened the doors to its first free-standing beauty store in Tokyo’s Aoyama District. Now, to celebrate the launch and to give U.S. Chanel fans a taste of Aoyama, Chanel has released a small collection called Tokyo Happening. Featuring pastel colors with lots of sparkly shine, the collection include lip gloss, nail colour and highlighter.  Originally intended as an exclusive Tokyo product, Chanel made the range available online and it’s been selling out fast.   I hope they get more I’d love to get the whole set but would settle for the gold lip gloss and nail polish.  I’m not much of a pink girl, but even the pink is really pretty - very gothic lolita!  Word on the street is that they may be getting another delivery of product in for the online store so keep checking back!

CHANEL Tokyo Happening

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Chanel Cruise Collection 2010

Last week, the Chanel Cruise 2009/10 collection set sail in one of the most romantic and unique cities in the world - Venice. Coco Chanel was apparently instantly swept away when she visited Venice and Karl Lagerfeld apparently was too, as this resort collection was a reflection of understated seaside glamour. The show began at sunset on Lido Beach where the models walked on a wooden boardwalk/catwalk that twisted and turned, while editors dug their feet in the sand.

The collection is in the signature Chanel black and white with pops of red and gold. Traditional nautical motifs running the range of French nautical sailor stripes and collars for the ladies and looks borrowed from gondoliers for the men, played a significant part in the collection. Another motif - the lion - a favorite of Coco Chanel’s, made an appearance as the symbol of Venice and also the symbol of Leo, Chanel’s astrological sign. Lace pieces that were ethereal and sophisticated along with chiffon wispy dresses reflected the sensuality of the Chanel woman. A Chanel collection wouldn’t be complete without its share of tweed jackets and little black dresses and there were plenty signature elegant styles to choose from.

One of my favorite aspects of the runway show was the hair - reminiscent of the wavy bob of the flappers of the 1920s these bobs had a bit more volume, depth and angles than the bobs of the 1920s could ever hope for. Together with a smokey eye and the right accessories the look was very modern and chic. I can’t wait to see what nail colours we’ll see come out of this collection. All in all, another beautiful collection that stayed true to the brand’s heritage without replicating the past.

I thought this collection was especially beautiful because Coco Chanel’s first clothing collections were developed and sold in the seaside town of Deauville, where she revolutionized how women dressed at the beach. I felt that Uncle Karl took this into account when designing this collection and you could see that he was inspired by the looks that Chanel made popular at the time - from the hair, to the locale, to the jersey pieces it was all a nod to Mademoiselle. Bravo!

Chanel Cruise Collection 2010

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Lux Eyewear - Sunglasses by Tiffany & David Yurman

When the going gets tough, the tough go…shopping?  People are talking about the recession incessantly but some of the luxury brands aren’t taking notice - even Chanel, whose own Karl Lagerfeld said “luxury is dead.”  Maybe over-the-top luxury is gone but, people are still buying investment pieces.  And, when it comes to sunglasses - apparently people want more than some flattering frames - they want some jewels on them!

Jewelry has been really making a splash as of late - whether it’s gold chains lacing up your shoes (Upper Echelon Shoes), or gold faux nails (Bijules NYC), jewelry is expanding into other categories and spicing up everything from shoes, to hair to nails and now, sunglasses.  My favorites of this new breed of sunglasses are made by Tiffany, Chanel and David Yurman.

My picks from the Tiffany collection are the Tiffany Jazz Shield sunglasses and the Tiffany Bubbles Shield Sunglasses because they relate back to the jewelry that Tiffany is known for.  The Art Deco motif of the Jazz sunglasses was found in the Tiffany archives and the Bubble design is based on the Bubble jewelry collection.  Simple, refined, and very elegant.

I love the Chanel sunglasses because the styles also reference Chanel iconography - in this instance - pearls.  One style is a simple, black over-sized frame with a cultured pearl set in on each arm next to an understated Chanel logo.  The other style, comes with a pearl lanyard going from one arm to the other. These two styles are instant classics - big black frames never go out of style - especially when they’re Chanel!

The last pair that caught my eye are made by another jewelry company, David Yurman.  The Waverly sunglasses are a true representation of the brand with the iconic cable design on the arms of the sunglasses.  One look at these and they are unmistakably David Yurman.

Though these glasses are expensive as far as sunglasses go, they are definitely statement pieces that will stay with you from season to season.  They are also great ways to start buying luxury - not everyone can buy a Chanel 2.55 bag, but you can start your way into the Chanel world with a pair of sunglasses - one accessory at a time.  Just make sure you use those fancy cases the glasses come in and don’t sit on them!

Lux Eyewear - Chanel Sunglasses

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