From the runway of Paris, Karl Lagerfeld brought together a complacent winter themed backdrop with a commonplace line from Chanel. From a mastermind like Lagerfeld one would expect some guts and ingenuity, but for the Chanel Fall 2007 line, the basics were kept nearby with small amounts of color splashes and outfits that are poised yet wearable. As far as the accessories go, the Chanel handbags were nothing out of the ordinary and the shoes manifested in tall boots and back buckles. The Turquoise Reissue brought a colorful twist to the line that was rather doldrum at times. Heavy and dark drawn in eyebrows were key along with frizzy crimped hair and a bib-like addition to some outfits. While not completely let-down, there is also a feeling that something was missing from the Chanel line for the upcoming season.

All pictures from Style

More pictures after the jump; close ups of the models and shoes!

We got some exciting new SS ’07 Chanel Purses to share with you that are now available in selected Saks 5th Ave and Chanel stores around the country. Enjoy the eye candy!

Image via Style

It’s raining Chanel, Hallelejia! The dangling chain CC detailing gives this Chanel bag a bit extra flavor for a night on the town. As seen from the Fall/Winter runway, Chanel is bringing dangling chain detailing back. If this encompasses the whole bag, it is too much, but just on the C’s on this Chanel Fall 2007 Clutch, the hang chain detailing really is subtly appealing. On nothing other than supple green leather, this clutch would be sure to catch some attention and make a bold statement. I totally dig it. Inquire further via Chanel.

Image from Chanel

The buzz heard around the world came from the Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork Bag. Not only was I less than impressed, but also highly annoyed that those behind the curtains and scene named that atrocious mess ‘the most expensive bag in the world’. Give me a break Mr and Mrs LV PR. And give me a bigger break to the suckers who bought it. Although only slightly edging out its “competition” in price, there is a huge buzz behind a Chanel bag that is a force to be reckoned because of its price and beauty. Feast your eyes on the Chanel Croc Biarritz, an oversized (literally huge) Chanel tote designed with black crocodile. Forbes reports that there are three of these in Chanel NYC, two in Chanel LA, and three more wandering around select Neiman Marcus locations. There is a simply understated external zip pocket with a CC silver pull and dividers on the inside. Not sure if the bag can be found anywhere now, but the Chanel Croc Biarritz deserves much more fuss and press and spotlight than the LV bag of horrors. Coming in at $43,150, this bag is sure to be exclusive not only because of the limited quantity made, but also the exorbitant price tag. Any of you get one of the eight known beauties? Wanna share?? For more information contact your local Chanel boutique or Chanel online.

From the new season of Chanel, I present you the Chanel Madison Patent Leather Flap. It comes in an array of colors, including this gorgeous liquid gold. What’s not to love? The quilted flap over the smooth leather of the rest of the bag is an interesting touch, as are the subtle metal chain links gracing the center of the bag. The patent is right on for this season, and the color is droolworthy. But…doesn’t that central chain-bordered flap remind you of something? Do you find yourself giggling at the sight of this picture and not understanding why? That’s right. The friendly folks on the Purse Forum have aptly named this bag “the Weenus.” Why? Because there’s a fat schlong drooping right down the middle of it. I won’t even go into how the adjacent quilted portions now evoke wrinkled…anyway, I said I wouldn’t. So buyer beware! I know this bag has its charms, and I can’t quite call it fugly, but should you be sporting this patent piece on your shoulder and you hear some immature snickering…well, that’s probably coming from the mouth of a corrupted soul like me who can see your bag in all its phallic glory. If you insist, and better, if this post has further whetted your interest, get ready to cough up $1,995 and call your local Chanel boutique or luxury department store, and see more pretty pictures at chanel.com.

All of you fashionistas know that your little girls that you may have will be brought into their mom’s world of fashion. I will of course primp and prime my little princesses to be able to know a fake bag from a real and know the true heroine’s of the world, like Coco Chanel (I’m exaggerating a tad, but play along!). Whether or not you will buy your beautiful little girl a designer bag is besides the point, because now their is a book to teach her about the life of Coco, perfectly named Different like Coco. The author and illustrator, Elizabeth Matthews, delights the fashionable senses with this story about a woman who has changed our wardrobes as we know it. Perfect gift for any little girl out there! Book available via Amazon for $11.55.

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel was always different. And she vowed to prove that being different was an advantage! Poor, skinny, and orphaned, Coco stubbornly believed that she was as good as the wealthier girls of Paris. Tapping into her creativity and her sewing skills, she began making clothes that suited her (and her pocketbook) — and soon a new generation of independent working women craved her sleek, comfortable, and practical designs. Now an icon of fashion and culture, Coco Chanel continues to inspire young readers, showing just how far a person can come with spunk, determination, and flair. The rags-to-riches story of Coco Chanel plays out in a wonderful picture-book biography as full of style and spirit as its heroine.

Our good friend roey on tPF shared some beautiful Chanel bags that are hard to pass up. Forum thread here.

For more information like prices, colors, ship dates and availability contact denise.junell@nordstrom.com!

There is no better way to get the Simpsons ready for their movie debut than to put them in the August spread of Harper’s Bazaar decked out in couture clothing and accessories. The brains behind Bazaar dressed the Simpsons up in Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Lanvin, Versace, and Viktor & Rolf. I absolutely positively love the spread! It is clever and cunning and fabulously fabulous. The fact that Jean Paul Gaultier is toting Maggie in an Hermes Birkin is impeccably perfect and sheer genius. More pictures of some of the spreads below along with the runway outfit they were mimicked after!

A very big thanks to LV Mandy and Croissant for posting the pictures on tPF!!!

Top image via FabSugar

Image via Forbes

Big news in the handbag world. Chanel has announced the newest limited edition and highly coveted handbag. With only 13 available worldwide, this handbag sits upon the accessory throne as one of the most expensive luxury handbags in the world. The Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag will debut in December adorned with 3.56 carats made up of 334 diamonds, 18 carat white gold hardware, and white alligator skin. Five of these ostentatious handbags will be available in the states. The price tag on this number is a staggering $261,000. Yes the price is sky high, but these bags are masterpieces, works of art. With only 13 being made, owning one would be similar to an art collector owning a Picasso.

Let’s discuss: Is this bag worth the price? If you owned it would you carry it or think of it as a piece of art? Who do you think will be one of the lucky 13?

Following up with her first article on the World’s Most Extravagant Handbags, Hitha Prabhakar at Forbes interviewed me again for this article. Article and exclusive pictures below!

It’s never too early to start thinking about your holiday wish list.

Sure to top it this year? Chanel’s “Diamond Forever” tote (pictured left). In December, the company will debut 13 of these diamond and alligator handbags just in time for the holiday shopping crunch. Each is a stepped-up version of the classic Chanel shoulder bag, with the iconic Chanel “Cs” encrusted in a staggering 334 diamonds (a total of 3.56 carats) set in 18-carat white gold. The alligator skin is farmed and treated with a matte finish.

The total cost: $260,150.

While few may actually end up owning this bag, the demand for other high-end handbags has skyrocketed. Online retailer eluxury.com saw sales of luxury handbags (those over $500) increase 11% last year.

“People want to spend their money on frivolous things,” says Pamela Danziger, author of Why People Buy Things They Don’t Need and founder of luxury goods research company Unity Marketing. “[And] handbags definitely fall into that category.”

Scarcity is also driving desire for these totes. Something that is hard to obtain or impossible to find will be more valuable, says Meaghan Mahoney, editor of the daily news and handbag review online site purseblog.com.

“A handbag [such as] the Chanel Diamond Forever bag is more of a collector’s item than something you use on a daily basis,” she says. “Like an exquisite car or a rare painting, it’s the limited availability and high demand that make this handbag more valuable.”

Read the rest at Forbes

A bigger sized picture of this gem attached to the Purse Forum thread linked below!

We are excited to present to you a few exclusive images and information on new Chanel handbags that were presented at the Chanel Cruise 2008 Trunk Show. In the next few days I’ll be reporting on the goods with crisp pictures and pricing. You Chanel bag lovers won’t be disappointed, I promise. For the impatient, an immediate Chanel fix is available in this Chanel forum thread.

Chanel Melrose Patent Degrade, cost is $1,595. Available at your nearest Chanel store or authorized Chanel boutiques like Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue.