Fur has made a bit of an uncomfortable comeback on the catwalk lately, so I was delighted to learn that the pelts on display at Chanel's Fall 2010 shows were as fake as fake can be. The fun fur was so realistic that if I hadn't been told up front that no animals were harmed in the making of the fluffy adornments, I'd have been feeling pretty unwell by the end of the show.
While I have to approve of Chanel's decision to forego real fur (according to some commentators, at a cost) I have to admit to not being exactly bowled over by the designs. If you thought that shoulder bag on the left looked uncannily like a hot water bottle cover, by the way, you'd be right: it is exactly that. Clearly Karl and his team expect we're in for another hard winter...
In the non-furry section of the show, however, I loved the 'ice block' clutches, which had a real novelty, Narnia feel about them. A great idea, beautifully executed.
Vanessa Paradis looked the epitome of chic at the Mark Hotel in New York last week, where Chanel threw a star-studded dinner in her honour. The singer and consort of Johnny Depp has recently become the face of Chanel's latest beauty line, Rouge Coco de Chanel.
We're loving the way that Vanessa has accessorized this stunning peacock blue chanel evening bag with her sheer and alluring outfit. The event itself was a huge success for Chanel, whose celebrity guests included Kate Bosworth, Daphne Guinness and Caroline Sieber -- who rocked up with a Chanel transfer tattoo on her upper arm. Chanel continues to be the Hollywood label of choice!
[Image: Rex]
If you're no 'doing' Valentine's this year and are sick of the constant references to it, don't forget it's also Chinese New Year this weekend, so there's plenty more than lurve and soppiness to celebrate.
Chanel has released a limited-edition mini bag along the same lines as its Russian Doll bag as seen on Lily Allen. Fresh from the Paris-Shanghai collection, it's an absolutely stunning little toy in its own right, and we think it's absolutely adorable. Everything about it from the floral hair decorations and button down Chinese-style 'dress' is just exquisite. Who said we were too old for dolls?
Chanel's Chinese New Year bag is available from selected Chanel Boutiques
I have to admit that I was a bit of a skeptic about the voluminous Cocoon range when Chanel first brought it out: who would buy the jelly-like accessories, which remind us horribly of sleeping bags?
Half of Hollywood, it soon turned out, as the range has been a massive hit with celebs. While most have opted for the more sober, black versions of the bags, Cameron Diaz has gone for red, and the choice complements her casual jeans look perfectly. Chanel has built up a whole microsite for the cocoon range now, so if you'd like to have a browse and think about a purchase, check it out here.
Related: Stars stick with Chanel
Times change, and all manner of designers come and go with their crazy new ideas and visions. But one thing that never seems to change is celebrities' love of the classic black Chanel quilted flap bag, spotted in the arms of both Catherine Zeta Jones (left) and Christina Ricci (right).
These two pictures really illustrate what's led to the bag's enduring popularity: its versatility in all situations. It looks every bit as chic and stylish as part of Ricci's casual ensemble as it does when it's the icing on the cake of Zeta Jones' more stately, formal affair. I can't think of many styles that would hold up so well in both situations.
[Image: Rex]
I do hope that MK isn't planning on setting a precedent with her two gigantic designer bags, because if she is, 2010 is going to be a jolly expensive year.
Seen with her trusty Hermes Kelly on one arm, an XXL oversized Chanel bag in the other, Ms Olsen really seems to be taking the term 'Bag Lady' a little literally. What wsa she thinking? But from a handbag-gazers perspective actually quite an interesting shot, as it shoes the relative sizes of the two bags - the Hermes apparently reduced to the size of a purse - very clearly. We can only hope that the spare one was intended for her sister...
Related: Mary-Kate Olsen explains her and sis Ashley's love for accessories | Yay or Nay: Absolutely massive handbags
Lily Allen's right at the other end of the scale to Kate Moss on the brand-loyalty front: at least, for the moment. A long-term Chanel fan, Lily helped make the Matriochka doll clutch a huge and much-copied hit earlier on in the year. Now it looks like she'll be doing the same for the ultra-chunky Cocoon range, with her oversized black handbag now a constant companion.
I have to admit to being something of a skeptic about this collection when Chanel first unveiled it, comparing it rather unfairly with duvets and sleeping bags. Either the cold winter chill we've since witnessed has made such associations seem like a good thing, or the likes of Lily and fellow Cocoon fans Gwen Stefani and Freida Pinto are working the PR machine pretty well!
[image: REX]
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