Last week Chanel released the advertising film for Bleu de Chanel directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Gaspard Ulliel. The behind the scenes videos below are an interesting glimpse into the making of the short film and you get to see the genius of Scorsese at work. Chanel has done it again with another great advertising film. I’m looking forward to the next one!
August 30, 2010
August 25, 2010
Chanel Unveils Scorsese-Directed BLEU DE CHANEL Advertising Film
Building on a tradition of partnerships with influential directors, CHANEL gave a free hand to Academy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese to direct the highly anticipated short advertising film for its new men’s fragrance BLEU DE CHANEL.
Entitled Bleu de Chanel, the film features celebrated French actor and rising international star Gaspard Ulliel playing the role of a young actor whose artistic talent, rebelliousness and luck have recently catapulted him into the public eye, but who refuses to conform to the lifestyle and expectations his newly found fame has forced upon him. As he struggles with new pressures and demands, he encounters his first love who for years supplied him with the passion and turmoil that fueled his work. Faced with a choice, he pushes aside convention to embody the bold character of BLEU DE CHANEL by daring to be unexpected.
A reflection of his deep history with the Rolling Stones, Scorsese chose the song She Said Yeah, a 1965 release from their album December’s Children (And Everybody’s), as the soundtrack for the film.
“Martin Scorsese is a director whom I’ve admired for a long time,” says Gaspard Ulliel. “I see him as one of the great masters of contemporary filmmaking. Throughout the five days of work, he overflowed with energy and enthusiasm and achieved something that truly stands out from other fragrance commercials.”
Created by CHANEL Master Perfumer Jacques Polge, BLEU DE CHANEL is a woody aromatic fragrance for today’s modern man. The provocative fragrance features notes of grapefruit, dry cedar and labdanum.
August 23, 2010
CHANEL J12 Marine Launch with Laird Hamilton
Over the weekend Chanel invited some fancy-pants people out to Montauk to celebrate the release of the lastest J12 Marine men’s watch. Laird Hamilton, the new brand ambassador, is a professional surfer and married to professional volley ball player Gabrielle Reece. “Like CHANEL’s newest brand ambassador, Laird Hamilton, CHANEL has allowed themselves to be swept away by the beauty of the waves, and has incorporated these elements into the design of the J12 Marine, the newest addition to CHANEL’s fine timepiece collection.”
The guests ““…dined on fresh seafood at wooden tables and then gathered around the fire pit for cocktails and smores.” Can we say jealous? And how about the surf boards? I’ve always been to scared to try surfing but a Chanel surf board can easily sway me…
The event looks like it was awesome and though you may not think of Chanel when you think of surfing, Chanel always manages to have that magic touch that makes just about anything seem like it was meant to be paired with Chanel. My only question is, where was my invitation to this? 
Image Source: NOTCOT
August 20, 2010
Karl Lagerfeld Hosts Dinner For Soho Boutique Re-Opening
On September 9th, Karl Lagerfeld will jump-start New York Fashion Week with a chic dinner to celebrate the re-opening of the Soho Chanel boutique. Approximately 300 guests will be in attendance and I’m sure it will be a who’s who of the young, rich and beautiful. What I would do for an invite!
August 19, 2010
Introducing Les Khakis de Chanel Nail Collection
Les Khakis de Chanel Nail Collection - Khaki Vert
I just got this in my inbox and almost jumped out of my chair. Yes, I was once known to wear tips with airbrush designs and animal print nail art. Now, I’m opting for neutral, short, natural nails and the new collection, Les Khakis de Chanel, is right up my alley.
The trio of Khakis was created by Chanel Global Creative Director of Makeup Peter Philips to celebrate Vogues’ Fashion’s Night Out. Each Khaki has a hint of a color: Khaki Rose, Khaki Brun and Khaki Vert (rose, brown and green respectively). The colors can be worn alone or combined to create an urban camouflage.
I adore these colors and I cannot wait for them to release on September 10th. I’ve been wanting an army green nail polish for quite some time and now I can finally have it – in fact, I will definitely be getting all 3! Les Khakis de Chanel nail collection retails for $25/bottle and will be available at Chanel boutiques, Chanel.com and select department stores (waiting to find out which ones -will update when I know!).
Les Khakis de Chanel Nail Collection - Khaki Brun
Les Khakis de Chanel Nail Collection - Khaki Rose
Joyeux Anniversaire Mademoiselle!
“Fashion passes, style remains.”
Happy Birthday Mademoiselle Chanel! Your memory and style endure. We miss you!
July 21, 2010
What Would Coco Do?
I’m starting a new column for the site called What Would Coco Do? As the name implies, I’ll be giving advice as I think Mlle. Chanel would. If you have any questions please submit them to gdk@lachanelphile.com. I’m looking forward to hearing your questions!
July 10, 2010
Chanel 2010-2011 Fall/Winter Haute Couture Review
The Chanel Fall/Winter 2010-2011 Haute Couture show at the Grand Palais was a grand spectacle complete with a forty-foot lion. But even the lioness could not outshine the clothing and accessories that Uncle Karl designed.
The overall silhouette was a play on layers, length and shoulders. Strong shoulders have been popular for a few seasons now, but the Chanel strong shoulder was different. It’s very soft and round, but strong in the sense that it is exaggerated. Almost all of the looks had the rounded, sculptural shoulder paired with a 3/4 length sleeve. The looks that didn’t have the rounded shoulder were sleeveless and the models’ bare shoulders were reminiscent of the roundness of the sleeved jackets.
Lagerfeld also played with length in this collection. From 3/4 sleeve jackets, to long blouses paired with cropped jackets, to-the-knee skirts and dresses to calf-length dresses and skirts. Most of the hemlines were on the short side – even the formal dresses.
The color palette is one suited for fall – rich jewel tones like garnet, topaz, and sapphire paired with rich browns, camel and black. Lush fabrics like warm tweeds paired with luxe fur; brocade fabric with rich beading and embroidery, dresses embellished with strings of pearls. The overall look is very luxurious and rich – think ladies who lunch.
I must confess, the clothing was not my favorite this season. I wasn’t a very big fan of the big rounded shoulders. What stole the show for me was the accessories. These boots were definitely made for walking – slouchy, ruched, metallic, beaded, and with the iconic black toe cap – every look had an ankle boot to match.
The accessories that had me drooling were the large chunky bangle bracelets – bejeweled with chains hanging and layered – the bracelets were the perfect match for the 3/4 sleeve and sleeveless looks. Brooches and belt buckles had similar looks with chains dripping from them with lion heads at the center. A collection certainly made to make you roar!
July 8, 2010
Chanel 2010-2011 Fall/Winter Haute Couture Show
Review to come soon! In the mean time you can check out the show for yourself…
“I Am Chanel, Hear Me Roar”
I didn’t think that Karl could outdo a giant glacier as the centerpiece for a runway show – but somehow he did. On Tuesday, Chanel unveiled its Fall/Winter 2010-2011 Haute Couture show at the Grand Palais in Paris with an “8-ton, 40-foot-tall golden lion, [with] its paw perched on an enormous pearl” serving as the backdrop. (WWD).
The inspiration for the lion is clear – born on August 19th, Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel was a Leo. She loved lions and they surfaced everywhere from her apartment decor, buttons and even her gravestone. The centerpiece for the haute couture runway show is a replica of a marble sculpture from her infamous apartment at 31 Rue Cambon. “Gabrielle Chanel surrounded herself with models of lions in wood, silver, bronze or alabaster…[and t]he lion became a timeless biographical seal on numerous of her creations.” (Chanel News).
Chanel herself, felt a close affinity with lions: “August 19th is my birthday. I was born under the sign of Leo. I am a Leo and, like a lion, I use my claws to prevent people from doing me harm, but, believe me, I suffer more from scratching than from being scratched.”
The lion inspired some of her creations and lion heads were commonly found embossed on the buttons of her iconic tweed suits.
Indeed, Mlle. Chanel’s love for lions are eternal – her gravestone has 5 lion heads carved onto it.
Not only is Karl Lagerfeld an ingenious designer, he truly respects and understands the woman that Coco Chanel was. He stays true to what inspired her and he gives it all a modern twist. Of course, he is one of the few people in the world who has access to her apartments and archives (what I would do to be a fly on the wall!). I hope that his successor will have the same respect for Chanel’s vision.
Image Credits:
Runway show & apartment images: Chanel News
Chanel Button: Chanel: Collections & Creations
Chanel Gravestone: Ballyshannon
