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.

Thakoon for Target

The economy has affected us all, and it has even influenced our shopping habits.  We’ve all heard the talk of a ‘V’ shaped economic recovery, suggesting that once we’ve hit bottom, we’ll trend upward without looking back.  While I’m usually an optimist, I’m more inclined to believe that we are in a ‘W’ shaped recovery where we will hit bottom twice before trending upward to a full recovery.  With this in mind, we must be mindful of our budgets, but still remain fabulous and stylish.  Mixing our wardrobe with higher and lower-end pieces has never been more essential for the woman who loves fashion.  Here is a list of the top five collaborations of high-end designers and mass market retailers.  They are:

• 1. Karl Lagerfeld- H&M
• 2. Jimmy Choo- H&M
• 3. Proenza Schouler- Target
• 4. Matthew Williamson- H&M
• 5. Thakoon – Target

Karl Lagerfeld designed the costumes for the English National Ballet’s performance of Apollo.  When fashion and the Arts are combined you have magic.  The clean lines in the costumes are evident in the House of Chanel and in the designer himself.  Though the costumes are linear, they also have a romantic element.  Enjoy the views of the couture house; its beauty rivals any museum you would visit in Paris.  The mini performance of two principal dancers is also worth a view.

Lagerfeld’s Apollo [Vogue.com]