Chanel – High End Weekly™

Inspirations on the runway: Chanel Fall 2013

Chanel Fall 2013

photo via Vogue

Paris Fashion Week: Chanel Fall 2013 Collection

Do you ever ask yourself what it’s like to live the life of a Kaiser? I have a close friend who often does. When I refer to the Kaiser, I’m talking about Karl Lagerfeld, of course. For the last 30 years, he made no secrets about his serious design on taking Chanel, the luxury fashion brand, to the highest possible level. And judging from what we’ve seen in the past decades, he’s done just that. Further evidence was exhibited on the runways at the grand palais in Paris this past Tuesday afternoon. The 79-year old fashion designer made clear that the Chanel brand is like no other. I think it’s safe to say that his plan has always been to make the house that Coco built even bigger than his own line, and the Frendi line for that matter.

So! Have you seen the Vogue video yet? It’s a must see, if you’re a Chanel fan. Models parading around an enormous globe, each one wearing colored mink cloche hats, heavy metal boots with chains (perhaps an inspiration from Peter Marino?), and traditional-like Chanel garbs with a strong sympathy to the punk movement. The entire look, although very elegant, had a streetwise quality to it. Nothing wrong with that, mind you. I was taken by the “high leather boots, jeans with tweed patches on the legs”, and the “new” little black dresses which I’ll never tire of. The commercial impact of Chanel is huge, no one can deny that, and even though the brand is not currently in every single corner of the world, the Kaiser is looking to change that. Real fast.

Above photos are credited to Vogue.com

Chanel

photo via Los Angeles Times

Karl Lagerfeld

photo via Vogue

79-year old fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld, circling the globe after his fashion show

at the Grand Palais in Paris

Photo courtesy Los Angeles Times

The Grande Dame of Antique Fairs

Biennale des Antiquaires, Paris

The XXVI Biennale des Antiquaires:

Part 3 of 3

There is some considerable talk about the Biennale coming to New York this November. Christian Deydier, the president of the Syndicat National des Antiquaires, has long toyed with the idea, and it’s becoming quite clear that this may become a reality this fall. If that’s the case, I venture that it will be well received by many people from the United States. This past week, I’ve gotten a great deal of feedback, and read a lot of press about this foremost fair of antiques, fine art, and jewelry.

Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld was invited to “reimagine” the exteriors of the old palais. Being that he is one to dazzle his audience at all times, the majority in attendance anticipated an extravaganza in the style of the Chanel shows that he’s become so well known for. Instead, what they got was a demure and uncharacteristic scenography from the Ice Man. Nevertheless, as his hot air balloon took center stage, the euphoric atmosphere was elegant, most appropriate, and for the well-heeled who were seriously interested in collecting design, and jewelry, this was the place to be. Are you ready to enter the festivities inside the grand palais?

Photos courtesy Billy Farrell Agency

Photo courtesy Vogue

Notable attendees: Karl Lagerfeld, Former First Lady Bernadette Chirac, Calvin Klein, Benjamin Steinitz, Becca Cason Thrash, Dominique Levy, Christian Deydier, Peter Marino, Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali Al Thani, Didier Claes, Bernard Arnault, Gisele Croës, Sophie Marceau, Pierre Bergé, Hubert de Givenchy, Yue Sai Kan, Charlotte Casiraghi, Diana Widmaier Picasso, Eugenie Niarchos.

The Weekender: Fêtes à Paris

Biennale des Antiquaires –

Part 2 of 3

Gala Diners at the Biennale

So many parties so little time. The Biennale des Antiquaires has never been short of celebrity and high society sightings. HEW have accumulated photos from this celebrated fair through the years, and they’re all for your enjoyment. Who knows? They may motivate you to attend the Gala on Wednesday, September 12th. Cheers!

Left: Christian Deydier, Président Jacques Chirac and honored guests

Estelle Lefebure

Bernadette Chirac

Mrs. Mc Cormick-Blair, and Pierre Bergé

Princesse Ira de Furstemberg

Alberto Pinto (center)

Mr Forbes and Veronica Hearst

Mathilde Agostinelli, Philippe Starck, and Victoire de Castellane

Princesse Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, and Karl Lagerfeld

Farida Lhelfa, Karl Lagerfeld, Distinguished Guest, Pierre Passebon, and Jean de Gunzburg

Anna Mouglalis, and Peter Marino

Baron and Baronne Emmanuel Reille

Christian Louboutin, and Minica Bellucci

Danièle Steel

Jacques Garcia

Karl Lagerfeld, and Hélène Arnault

Monica Bellucci

Mr & Mrs Henry Kravis, Karl Lagerfeld

Valentino

Pierre Passebon, and Jacques Grange

Style File: Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse

It’s been described as beautiful, luxe, sexy chic, and affordable luxury. The sleeveless, high collar black dress which has the potential to show off beautiful shoulders and arms is fast becoming a favorite…

Canadian model, Coco Rocha, and Karl Largerfeld

For a man who designs $3,000 pair of shorts for Chanel, I would say that some of the pieces shown on the Impulse collection look like they came straight from Chanel’s runway. What an absolute bargain! The garments have that certain legendary luxe profile which Chanel is so well known for. The shapes are classic Coco Chanel, subtle yet sensual.

Karl Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour

The Karl Lagerfeld limited edition collection for Impulse launched nationwide on August 31, but the legendary fashion designer, artist, and photographer made it official yesterday when he appeared at Macy’s Harold Square, with his friend and business partner, Anna Wintour, as well as his latest muse, Coco Rocha. Right in time for Fashion Night Out which kicks off Fashion Week tomorrow.

High End Weekly™ was thrilled to witness this special occasion, and I might add, pleasantly surprised to see Anna Wintour (the Press Release did not indicate that she would be there). On Tuesday evening, Ms. Wintour thanked the crowd who braved some pretty heavy rain condition in order to show their enthusiastic support for the brand.

The inexpensive, but high quality collection includes flowing and perfectly-tailored frocks, a little bit of tweed and leather, fingerless gloves, a couple of iconic Karl Largerfeld printed tank tops, and tees – priced from $50 to $170.

NOTE: Please notify us directly, if you believe that certain images on this post are alleged to infringe upon the copyrights of others, according to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Thank you.