By Marcellous L. Jones
(Photo courtesy of Thomas Devaux)
October 7, 2009


Paris, France - When guests arrived at the Grand Palais for the presentation of the new Spring/Summer show by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, bewilderment was the one word that probably popped up most upon seeing the stage decorations. In the centre of this immense convention hall, one found a barn like structure in the centre of a squared circle. The look was completed with giant bails of hay and a whole lot of dirt! Now that's keeing it real!

In a post-show interview with Fashion Insider TV, Lagerfeld revealed that he had spent 12 years of his life in the countryside. Those ideas and memories of nature and earthiness are the obvious inspirations for this most unexpected, yet eerily refreshing décor.

Sitting front row at the show were former French first lady Bernadette Chirac, Natalia Vodianova, Rihanna and Claudia Schiffer just to name a few. Then at the last minute, Prince ran in and then the show started if on cue.

The Chanel tweed suits will take a new direction for Spring/Summer 2010. Cut dangerously short, they become more lethal thanks to the split on both sides of their skirts. These splits rise up to the hip bone in many cases. The egg-shaped skirts seen in the latter part of the collection are given a look of rigidity. But according to Lagerfeld, they only appear that way as they are all soft, functional and allow women to not miss a beat in any of their activities. It is at this stage of the show where singer Lily Allen and her group rose from beneath the stage and gave an uplifting performance.

Off white, white, black and coral are the obvious colours for the season at Chanel. Black denim too has an important role in keeping the house young, fresh and up to date. Clogs, or “five-to-clog” as Lagerfeld refers to them, are a great part of the featured accessories. Their heels come in two or three different heights. S...

1 2