t’s been a while since I’ve had time to go to the bookstore and check out some magazines and I’m so glad I went when I did. I was able to still get a copy of Vogue Paris’ March issue which is devoted to all things Chanel. The cover is gorgeous and is an homage to the cover of Vogue Italia from 1992 that Steven Meisel shot. Now, I just need to learn how to read French. Image Source for 1992 Cover
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.
Chanel Boutique Exterior
I’ve visited Las Vegas twice a year for the last six years. Each time I go, I do the tradeshow dance and though you get to read the fruits of our labor here on M.I.S.S., it seems a lot more glamorous than it actually is . . . until now. Last month, we were invited to review the new Chanel Ultra-Luxe Boutique located between the Hotel Wynn and the Hotel Encore. Outshining everything around it, the new Chanel Ultra-Luxe boutique is the first of its kind, and is considered the “jewel box” of the Chanel empire .
Chanel Ultra-Luxe Boutique – Accessories & Apparel
Designed by Peter Marino, the architect ignored Las Vegas clichés and instead perpetuated the elegance of Chanel’s style with clean lines and simple geometry reminiscent of the 1930s. Not all Chanel boutiques are created equal – and this one is very special. No detail was left untouched – only the finest materials were used in the boutique design from the marble floors to the silk between sheets of glass that divided the rooms. In addition to the usual apparel and accessories you would find at other Chanel Boutiques, this Boutique has an entire section devoted to exotic leather handbags – python and crocodile galore, these handbags are the ultimate luxury.
Many of the bags at the boutique are even more limited than the usual Chanel bags. Ruby, the sweetest sales associate, showed us handbags that were 1 in 5 (in the country). I was offered (and did not turn down) an opportunity to try on the most expensive item I’ve ever touched in my entire life – a black crocodile purse with a chain strap made of white gold. It didn’t stop there . . . the iconic double C’s were made of platinum and encrusted with 334 diamonds (that’s 3.56 carats!). This gorgeous bag is valued at $235,000 – THAT is the caliber of product they carry at the Ultra-Luxe Boutique!
Chanel Ultra-Luxe Boutique – Accessories & Apparel
I could go on and on about all of the amazing products we saw that day, but my mere words can’t describe the beauty, let alone the awe that we were in. Ruby pointed out all the details that made each product unique – there’s a reason it’s called Haute Couture! From beads that are hand-blown and then hand-sewn on to garments, python boots and feather capes – everything is exquisite and made with the finest quality and workmanship. If you are ever in Las Vegas, make sure to stop by the Chanel Ultra-Luxe Boutique between the Hotel Wynn and the Hotel Encore, and be sure to ask for Ruby. Tell her M.I.S.S. sent you!
Read the full story to see more images.
Chanel Ultra-Luxe Boutique Exterior
Chanel Ultra-Luxe Boutique Fine Jewelry Salon
Exterior
Lobby at the Hotel Encore
Fashion photographer Massimo Gammacurta’s photos are clever and ingenious in their simplicity. His work is extraordinarily beautiful, and no matter what the subject, you can expect a level of sophistication that you rarely find anywhere else. His newest project is called “Sweet Fashion, Lick Your Way To Success,” where he’s borrowed some of the world’s most iconic luxury logos and made them into lolipops! Gammacurta released these during fashion week and made lollipops using the Chanel, Gucci, YSL and Louis Vuitton logos. The lollipops come in flavors such as watermelon, pomegranate, caramel, lilac, wild cherry and green apple. Talk about the ultimate luxury – these would be fleeting, yet utterly decadent treats!
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.
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.
Read the full story to see more stills from the film.
Picture me rollin’…
Karl Lagerfeld has designed this special edition Segway called The Chanel Segway x2. It’s all black and features quilted leather fenders and handles. The Segway also features a Chanel quilted leather pouch attached to the front handlebars…and check out those tires! No word on how many were made or the price but I’m pretty sure it’s out of a mall cop’s price range. 
Via Notcot
Chanel has released Les Noir de Chanel, a collection of dark, seductive lip colors fit for a style maven – or vampire. Inspired by Mlle. Chanel’s love of the color black, the three colors - Maniac, Hysteria and Obscure – coordinate with their nail colors Rouge Noir, Vendetta and Madness. I love the depth of color and the personality these shades evoke. They say that in times of economic crises sales of lip color go up because it’s a more economical way to update a look. If that’s true, then these colors are perfect now. You can find the perfect shade for your mood here.
