Karl Lagerfeld has given life to one of our most recurring fantasies, a day of unabashed shopping at Chanel.  The designer directed a short film called Shopping Fever, with Dree Hemingway, Baptiste Giabiconi and Abbey Lee.  A room filled with shopping bags with the Chanel logo is a dream for many women; and a shopping spree like that would have to stem from a fever as the title suggested.  Even so, leave it to Karl to know what women want.

Every year the rumors surface about Karl Lagerfeld’s named successor at Chanel, only to be shot down almost immediately by the fashion house.  Why would they want to alter the right formula?  Each season the 70 year old designer manages to update the iconic label just enough that it is coveted by young Hollywood, yet remain grounded in its history that it still appeals to socialites and ladies who lunch.  That is a delicate balance, and Lagerfeld has found a blend of perfection.  The brand still carries the same notability it enjoyed during the years of Coco Chanel.  This video simply highlights the designers achievements.

Daphne Guinness is the proud owner of the late Isabella Blow’s collection.  The legendary fashion stylist had a wardrobe consisting of 50 Philip Treacy hats, a few John Galliano dresses and several pieces by her dear friend Alexander McQueen.  In total, Daphne Guinness has acquired a 90 piece collection that is worthy of display in a museum.  She intercepted a planned Christie’s auction scheduled for September to sell off  Blow’s wardrobe and photographs.  Photographs by Steven Meisel, Mario Testino and Karl Lagerfeld are also among her new acquisitions.  “It’s Issy – it’s her D.N.A., it should not be scattered to the four winds.  Like any artist, it should not be dispersed, but remain as a monument with people having access to it,” says Guinness.

Isabella Blow Collection is Sold [Elle UK]

Karl Lagerfeld shot the new Chanel ad campaign featuring model Georgia May Jagger.  Georgia appears to have Lagerfeld’s seal of approval because she walked Chanel’s Cruise 2011 runway show in St. Tropez last week.  The 18 year old has also been the face of Versace.  She is already building an impressive portfolio that would rival most veteran models in the industry.  What else would we expect from the pouty offspring of Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall?  Georgia is styled in several signature looks for the ad.  The tweed and black-and-white looks are very Chanel, but the short shorts and sheer top are a departure from the label.  Maybe the house wants to appeal to a younger demographic.  If that’s the case, then Georgia May Jagger is the right choice.

Karl Lagerfeld’s short film, Remember Now, debuts on Tuesday, May 11th.  The film plays host to a ton of Chanel looks, and that’s only fitting because the film will be a part of the resort festivities in St. Tropez tomorrow.  It’s a short clip, but you can still feel the energy and excitement of what’s in store in the full feature.

Karl Lagerfeld does it again with his Chanel couture spring 2010 collection.  Each dress was more beautiful than the next in the finest fabrics adorned with embellishments that must have taken tens to hundreds of hours to complete.  The collection was a lesson in refinement.  Chanel brought regal glamour to couture week in all its majesty.  These pieces are fit for royalty, and rightfully so because couture is priced accordingly.  Don’t worry we could always desire them from afar.  Besides, beauty can be appreciated by all.  Click here to view the entire collection.

Some of the most established fashion designers might be considering their successors following their departure, but they’re not talking.  Designers like Karl Lagerfeld, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani are all in their 70′s, and thoughts of retirement must weigh heavily.  Even if their successors have been named, the designers are keeping silent.  Lagerfeld has already decided that he will work forever, and Chanel has publically stated that “[h]is succession is not on the agenda.” Armani, de la Renta and Lauren are the founders of their respective houses and their departure will definitely leave a void.  Any successor will be confronted with a true legacy.

So far successors of other notable fashion houses have been faced with challenges that saw them leaving prematurely and/or unceremoniously.  Tom Ford had a negative experience at Yves Saint Laurent and Lars Nilsson was essentially forced out at Gianfranco Ferre.  For now, Martin Margiela is the only house to forgo the successor route; the founder Martin Margiela will not be replaced.  Will other fashion houses take this path?  The answer will likely be dependent on the next two or three seasons at Martin Margiela, and the Margiela experiment.

Tough to let go for 70-something fashion designers [Reuters]

Sources Say It’s ‘Inconceivable’ That Chanel Isn’t Thinking About Karl Lagerfeld’s Succession [The Cut]

Karl Lagerfeld has directed a new short film starring Edita Vilkeviciute as a young Coco Chanel.  The backdrop of the film is Shanghai; a bit of an homage to Chanel’s Pre-Fall 2010 collection aptly named Paris-Shanghai.  In keeping with the name, the collection took its inspiration from the city in China with beautiful coats, embellished dresses and accessories.  Most notable among the accessories are the hats which are authentic in shape and embellished with beadings and other appliques.  Paris-Shanghai made our Rollcall list this week.  The presentation is 22-minutes in length, watch and enjoy.

Part 1

 Part 2

 Part 3

The magazine publishing industry has been hit with the closing of several publications in 2009, but that has had no effect on Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel.  He is launching a new magazine for the label. Karl is not the only one venturing into the magazine business, Forever 21 makes its magazine debut on Friday.  Even Barneys is getting in on the act, the luxury retailer has plans to launch its own blog for fashion directors.  The only question is what took them so long?

It appears to be a logical extension of their respective businesses, and the timing of these ventures is pretty genius as well.  Designers and retailers have to be creative when it comes to their finances in this economic environment, and this is one way to conserve their advertising dollars.  I’m sure they will not abandon independent print organizations altogether, but this is a viable alternative for promoting their brands. 

I guess we know where the missing advertising dollars from print publications have gone, in-house.  Even so, I’m looking forward to both Chanel’s 31 Rue Cambon and Barneys’ blog.  You will be able to get your copy of the Chanel magazine in their stores worldwide.

Forever 21 Makes Mag, Olivier Zahm Does It for Chanel [Blackbook]

Karl Launches Chanel Magazine, Barneys to Get a Blog [The Cut]

Karl Lagerfeld’s spring 2010 collection was youthful with a touch of sweetness.  Ladies, the mini dress is back, and was well represented in this collection.  I loved the mix of the strong shoulders with the femininity of the shorter dress lengths.  The leather details on the upper portions of the dresses looked more like metal plates than leather.  Mr. Lagerfeld’s collection is not for the wallflower who wants to go unnoticed; it’s says ‘the party can start now because I have arrived’.  These dresses are for the rock star types, the ones who are most comfortable in their own skin.  His loyal clientele will be eager to get her hands on these dresses because they are fun, light and flirty.  They’re perfect for spring.