Famed photographer Douglas Kirkland is releasing Coco Chanel: Three Weeks/1962, a series of photographs he took of Gabrielle Chanel at her Paris atelier across from the Ritz in 1962. Many of the photos are from Kirkland’s archives and some of the photos have never been seen before. The photos document Mademoiselle’s work process from interacting with models to working alone, long into the night. I buy all Chanel books that I can get my hands on and I can’t wait to see never-seen-before photos of the master taken by such a talented photographer such as Douglas Kirkland. The book releases on Monday, August 25th, but you can pre-order now on Amazon and get free shipping!
If you’ve read M.I.S.S. for a minute then you know that I love Chanel. She’s an icon and an inspiration for women striving to achieve their dreams. Lately, you’ve probably hear us talk aboutCoco Avant Chanel, the movie set for release next year starring Audrey Tautou as Mlle. Chanel. Well, it appears the mania is spreading and the Lifetime Network is the next to hop on the band wagon. On Saturday, September 13th at 8pm Lifetime is premiering Coco Chanel, the made-for-television movie depicting the life of Gabrielle Chanel. Barbora Bobulova plays the Chanel of youth and Shirley MacLaine plays the older, wiser Chanel. Now, I’ll watch this because it has to do with Chanel. But, I have to admit that I am less than excited about Shirley MacLaine playing Chanel. I have a giant mental block - I can’t see MacLaine as the sleek, sophisticated and suave Mademoiselle. It seems I’m not the only one, Vogue UK reported that so far, the critics are not impressed. If you’re curious, and want to make your own opinion (advised), tune in to Lifetime on September 13th. You can find more information on the Lifetime movie here.
Coco Chanel never married but she had several partners throughout her life. The man that was “the one true love” was Boy Capel, an English business man who helped finance Chanel’s first millinery shop. We reported a few months back that Audrey Tautou was cast as Mademoiselle Chanel. Today, we learned that Alessandro Nivola is cast as Boy Capel, Chanel’s “love of her life.” Tragically, Boy Capel died in a car crash and afterward Chanel’s collections featured what became her signature black. Other designers of the time commented that she was making everyone mourn for her lost love by using black as a main color in her collections. Whatever the reason, Chanel broke barriers and gave new life to the color black. We’ll learn about this and much more about the designer’s early life. I cannot wait to see this movie!!
Lovebirds is an inspired collaborative shop that sells the most beautifully immaculate vintage boots, shoes, and accessories, always following what is currently going on in fashion with clothing to follow shortly. “Lovebirds for KitKit” is a labor of love emanating from two varied artists…..one, a fashion designer, Willow of KitKit Dodge…the other, a musician & raw food chef. The pair took their serious passion for fashion and decided to share with other like-minded fashion junkies that have an appreciation for quality and individual style. The shop is easy to navigate and each page opens with an inspiring quote by inspiring women including Coco Chanel, Dolly Parten, Janis Joplin, Naomi Wolf and Gloria Steinem. Check it out here!
Yesterday Chanel unveiled it’s Autumn/Winter couture collection at the Grand Palais in Paris. The collection had a strong militaristic undercurrent that was at one medieval and futuristic. As I was watching the collection, Joan of Arc definitely was running through my mind. The severely bobbed hair of the models was reminiscent of the flappers that Coco Chanel epitomized, as well as, Joan of Arc, the teenage warrior and martyr. If that wasn’t enough of a reference, some of the models had “halos” framing their faces - very saintly indeed. The color palette of white, grey, steel and black gave the collection a serious and sombre feel, while pin tucks and pleating gave the appearance of armor. Strong shoulders, nipped waists and interesting volume, and distinct shapes are all big themes for the collection. Check for more pics and a video after the jump!
Last year we told you that a film based on the life of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel was in the works with Audrey Tautou cast as the fashion icon. The mysterious film set for release next year has a name: Coco Avant Chanel, which translates roughly to Coco Before Chanel, is the back story to Chanel’s life before she became an internationally recognized designer. British Vogue spoke to Tautou recently about her role and she stated:
I’m very happy with the script because it is about her youth and the elements which tell us what she would become and why her style is what it is today. . . . It gave me the freedom to be between the image of what people think about her [Chanel] but also her before her success.
I can’t say enough how I think Audrey Tautou is the perfect actress for this role. This film can’t come out soon enough!
When it comes to all things beauty: cosmetics, hair, perfume - less is more. You know the girls - they try to overcompensate for some things by piling on the makeup, perfume and hair gunk. Ladies! Realize that you’re beautiful just the way you are and you need only enhance your features — not create new ones! Here are some tips to keep you looking and smelling like a lady. Tips after the jump!
Chanel has just announced that Gold is a central theme of it’s Fall 08 and Holiday 08 cosmetics collections. These are the first makeup collections by Peter Philips, the new creative director of makeup at Chanel. For his first collection, he took inspiration from Coco Chanel’s personal apartment on Rue Cambon which he found very warm with rich colors surrounding him like earthy browns, gold-gilded frames and crystal chandeliers. The collection includes a gold nail polish called Gold Fiction and Kaléidoscope (a shiny green gold) for fall and a gold brown nail polish called Haute Chocolate for holiday. Will these colors become the next it colors like Vamp, Black Satin and Blue Satin? I guess only time will tell. The collection also includes gold lip gloss, gold highlighting powder and a black eyeliner with gold sparkle. I think the colors will be popular and they are very seasonal since Fall usually favors rich color and Holiday always has a little bit of glitz for all the holiday festivities. The Fall collection will be available in stores beginning in July and the Holiday collection in October.
**I’ve decided to make “If I Was A Rich Girl” a regular post as my eyes are way bigger than my wallet and there are too many things that I want that can’t fit into my working girl’s budget.
By now you probably know that I love all things Chanel, and their new fine jewelry Camélia Collection is no exception. The Camélia was Mlle. Chanel’s favorite flower and she adorned herself with this bloom often, so much so, that the Camélia is an important part of the company’s branding. The collection features 3 themes: Camélia Sculpté (sculpted black onyx and white cacholong with diamonds), Fil de Camélia (white gold with diamonds) and Camélia Ajouré (yellow gold). I love them all and though they all feature the Camélia in the design, each collection is unique and breath-taking. The Camélia Sculpté collection is a twist on Mlle. Chanel’s favorite color combination: “Feminine and delicate, . . . [the Camélia Sculpté collection] draws on the refinement and perfect harmony of the contrast between black and white, the two fundamental colours [sic] of Chanel.” The Fil de Camélia collection is for the girls who consider diamonds to be their best friend. “This is an irregular line that emphasizes the perfect curves of the iconic Chanel flower and the faultess contours of its petals.” And finally, the Camélia Ajouré collection is a very modern, airy interpretation of the iconic flower. “The feminine curves of the Chanel flower form a breezy mesh of fluide geometric effects and stylized lace impressions on the skin.” I want one of everything please!
View pictures from the three collections after the jump . . . (more…)
A few months back we reported that Audrey Tautou would be playing the one and only Mlle. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in the film adaption of the designer’s life. Today, we just learned that Audrey Tautou is said to also be the face of the upcoming campaign and commercials for the legendary Chanel No.5 fragrance.
The actress will work with director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who directed Audrey in cult classic Amélie. She will follow in the footsteps of actress Nicole Kidman who filmed a commercial and ad campaign for Chanel No. 5 and who worked with director Baz Luhrmann who worked with Ms. Kidman in Moulin Rouge. I LOVED what they did together and I’m really excited to see what the next commercial will be like. You can view the Nicole Kidman Chanel No. 5 commercial here - I never tire of watching it!
I’m really happy with the decision to have Audrey Tautou represent Coco in the film and be the face of the designer’s signature fragrance. Especially, since I was really unhappy with Keira Knightley being cast at the face of the Coco Madamoiselle. fragrance. Though stunningly beautiful, I didn’t think Ms. Knightly embodied the class, elegance and style of Mlle. Chanel. I think the company has made up for this by choosing to work with Mlle. Tautou. What do you think?
