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

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 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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Chanel N˚5

Saks Fifth Avenue and Chanel are celebrating the launch of the new Chanel N˚5 campaign today in an extravagant way that would make Coco proud.  The most iconic of Avenues - 5th Avenue - is being renamed Avenue N˚5 from May 2 - 10.

When Chanel N˚5 was first released, it made its debut on May 5th (5.5).  I thought that Mlle. was so clever to have the date match her signature fragrance.  Today, not only is Chanel N˚5 launched on the same day (eighty-eight years to the day), but renaming 5th Avenue - a street synonymous with fashion, luxury and elegance - is too clever!

“In our celebration of Chanel N˚5’s newest camapaign, we wanted to recognize Chanel’s longstanding relationship with Saks and engage our customer in the fragrance with a complete visual fantasy.  We are even more delighted that the city is joining us in recognizing Chanel.”  says Ron Frasch, President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Saks Fifth Avenue.

This is not just a marketing scheme - it’s official.  The City of New York has officially declared May 5, 2009, Chanel N˚5 Day.  To show their gratitude, Chanel and Saks Fifth Avenue and have partnered to create a new arts program P.S.5, the Ellen Lurie Elementary School.  The funds will be used to create after school programs & supplies and fund field trips to museums and cultural institutions.  This too, is completely true to Coco Chanel’s philosophy as she was an avid supporter of the arts.

“We are honored to partner with the city of New York and Saks Fifth Avenue to name May 5th ‘Chanel N˚5 Day,’” says John Galantic, President and COO of Chanel, Inc. “We are pleased to share the excitement of this iconic product with New York on this symbolic day in our brand’s history.”

If you’re in NYC you must check out the Saks Fifth Avenue - the windows and the interiors are getting a lots of visual treatment.  The 17 windows along Avenue N˚5 will feature still shots from the Chanel N˚5 film Train de Nuit (starting Audrey Tautou) along with pieces from the current Chanel ready-to-wear collection.  If I were in NY I would definitely take a stroll down Avenue N˚5 - while wearing Chanel  N˚5 on Chanel  N˚5 day.

I now have a new favorite holiday - HAPPY CHANEL  N˚5 DAY!!

Gabrielle Chanel is known for supporting the arts.  Her close circle of friends included Stravinsky, Picasso and Diaghilev - some of the most creative and talented minds of the time.  So, it should come as no surprise that the house of Chanel still cultivates the arts.  Last year, Chanel announced the Mobile Art Container by Zaha Hadid.  Unfortunately, the project came to a halt but Chanel’s support of the arts continues.  This year, Chanel is sponsoring the Tribeca Film Art Awards.

Each year, the Tribeca Film Festival asks 10 New York-based artists to create original works - each piece serves as a filmmaker prize, awarded to the Festival’s winning film directors.  During the festival, the original works are on display to the public.  The 10 artists selected are Fritz Chesnut, SunTek Chung, Stephen Hannock, Kalp Linzy, Robert Mangold, Sr., Clofford Ross, David Salle, Tom Slaughter, Hank Willis Thomas, and Mickalene Thomas.

The Art Awards are on display at the Chanel Soho Boutique until April 29th.

Chanel Soho
139 Spring Street
NY, NY

Monday - Saturday
11 AM to 7 PM

Sunday
12 PM to 6 PM

“Get off the phone!” I used to hear that a lot as a teenager. Though parents still say that to their kids today, it has a new meaning. When I was told to get off the phone it was because I was talking. Today, kids are more likely shooting off rapid fire text messages and tweets rather than making a phone call. And, it’s not just kids. With smart phones becoming the norm, adults are constantly checking email and text messages. Email can be a blessing and it makes work easier - can you imagine getting anything done without it? But, email is a two-edged sword - in some ways it makes life easier, in other ways it makes it more difficult. “How?” you ask? Three words: Phone Call Avoidance.

There is a growing phenomenon where people hide behind their keyboards and computers - especially when it comes to difficult and important topics. And it’s funny, the really pressing issues - the ones that are important, or need an immediate response or answer - are the ones that get text messaged/emailed most often. What to do? It’s simple:  A lady knows there are times that require a phone call.

Read on for particular examples of when picking up the phone is the way to go.

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Eighty-eight years ago, on 05.05.21, Gabrielle Chanel launched her first fragrance - Chanel No.5. Today, Chanel No.5 is still the world’s best selling fragrance and, according to Chanel, “a product in the Chanel No. 5 portfolio is sold every six seconds.” Because of this legacy, Chanel No.5’s advertising is always the pinnacle of ad campaigns.

It’s been several years since Baz Luhrmann and Nicole Kidman teamed up for the Chanel No. 5 mini film. As we’ve previously reported, Audrey Tautou will be the face of the new Chanel No. 5 campaign - and very fittingly, since she is also cast as Gabrielle Chanel herself in Coco Avant Chanel. Directing Ms. Tatuou is long-time collaborator Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who directed her in her breakthrough film, “Amélie.”  Tautou admitted that she has refused offers to represent other fragrances, she stated, “I needed to have a connection with the product.”

The full-length Chanel No. 5 film (2.25 minutes) releases on the internet on 05.05.09, but it was also produced in 60, 45 and 30 second versions for television.   The “megaproduction” took 3 weeks to film last May, with the help of a crew of 250.  The commercial weaves a tale of “missed encounters between strangers” and takes us to locales including Paris, Istanbul, and Nice.  The commercial is set to the tune of Billie Holliday’s “I’m a Fool to Want You” and ends with the lovers in a tender embrace standing on a Chanel logo mosaic.  Read the full story to see more gorgeous stills from the commercial and see if you can pick up on all the hidden Chanel themes.  I can’t wait to see this commercial.  If it’s anything like the last 2 Chanel commercials (Kidman’s Chanel No.5 and Knightley’s Coco Mademoiselle), then it’s going to be fabulous!

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Image of Chanel and Stravinsky, among others, from Chanel and Her World by Edmonde Charles-Roux

If this is not Chanel-mania, I don’t know what is!  Last year we saw the Lifetime made-for-tv movie depicting the life of Coco Chanel.  In a few months the premier of Coco Avant Chanel will hit theaters.  What’s next?  Another Chanel film of course!  The third in this string of Chanel films depicts the love affair between Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky.  Directed by Jan Kounen with Mads Mikkelsen starring as Stravinsky and Anna Mouglalis as Chanel.  The duo met in Paris and even worked together on Georges Balanchine’s “Apollon Musagete” - Igor Stravinsky wrote the music and Mlle. Chanel designed the costumes.  Chanel and Stravinsky: The Secret Story (working title) releases later this year - stay tuned for updates!

Read below for a synopsis on the backdrop of the film:

Paris 1913, Coco Chanel is devoted to her work and madly in love with the handsome and very wealthy Arthur ‘Boy’ Capel.

At the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Igor Stravinsky premieres his “Rite of Spring”. Coco attends the premiere and is mesmerised. But the revolutionary work is too modern, too radical: the enraged audience boos and jeers. A near-riot ensues. Stravinsky is inconsolable.

Seven years later. Now rich, respected and successful, Coco is devastated by Boy Capel’s death. She meets Stravinsky again - a penniless refugee living in exile in Paris after the Russian Revolution. The attraction between them is immediate and electric.

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Les Exclusifs de Chanel is a collection of fragrances that recalls a place, moment or theme that played an important role to Mlle. Chanel’s life.  All of the fragrances are available in only one size and concentration, 200ml size of eau de toilette.  They are light fragrances that are meant to be spritzed liberally in a decadent fashion.  Existing fragrances include Gardenia, Coromandel, Bel Respiro, and 31, rue Cambon.  The newest scent in the Les Exclusifs de Chanel Collection is Beige, the neutral color that Chanel single-handedly made chic.  Chanel once said, “I take refuge in beige because it’s natural.“   Created by legendary “nose” Jacques Polge, this fragrance is everything that Chanel loved about her favorite color: it’s natural, light, elegant and sexy all at once.

While visiting the Chanel Ultra-Luxe Boutique, Ruby the sales associate, told me about Beige and how it was the newest in the series.  She also told me that most stores and the website didn’t even have it yet.  Ruby didn’t know it, but I had been on the hunt for a new fragrance for some time.   I had been wearing the same perfume, Samsara by Guerlain, since I was 18.   I’ve worn some other fragrances here and there during the past 16 years, all of them Chanel including Allure, Coco Mademoiselle and No. 5 Elixir Sensuel.   All of those scents, including Samsara, can be a bit heavy at times so I was looking for something a bit fresher. One whiff of Beige and I instantly found my new scent.  Beige is light, with notes of “hawthorne, freesia, frangipani, honey, white petals and yellow gold.”  I bought it that day in February and I’ve been wearing it everyday since.  Beige is now available in Chanel boutiques and will debut soon on the Chanel website.  The 200ml size retails for $190.

A few months back we let you know about the film about Chanel’s life, starring Audrey Tatou as Chanel, that’s in the works. The trailer is finally here! From what I can see, this looks like it will do Mademoiselle’s life justice. It’s in French - as it should be. It’s releasing in France on April 22nd and will release later in the U.S. I cannot wait for this!! View the trailer below.