Les Exclusifs de CHANEL: Coromandel

Inspired by the Chinese Coromandel screens that Coco Chanel collected and displayed in her Ritz apartment, this modern Oriental updates patchouli, frankincense and amber by removing any hippie associations. Elegant and gorgeous with a plush benzoin drydown, Christopher Sheldrake and Jacques Polge have created a masterpiece.

From Perfumes: The Guide by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez: Coromandel (****) (four stars out of five) "If there were such a thing as powdered white chocolate, it would smell like Coromandel. Wonderful." Luca Turin.

The lovely Josie at Bergdorf Goodman helped me with this purchase and she included a deluxe sample of Sycomore, the CHANEL Les Exclusifs essay on Vetiver, perhaps the best Vetiver scent ever.

Mademoiselle Coco Chanel Summer 62

image: amazon.com

With a clever forward by Karl Lagerfeld, the designer of the modern CHANEL house, this lovely book features candid and intimate portraits of the fashion designer and icon Coco Chanel at the height of her success in the Summer of 1962. Often smiling, the relaxed Coco is seen through the fresh young eyes of photographer Douglas Kirkland, before her more formidable image had been fully realized. The perfect gift for anyone who loves fashion.

Available here. $32.85 USD.

Alec Soth Paris

image; Alec Soth

"Grand Palais (couple on stairs)" by American artist Alec Soth showcases the perfectly manicured woman with all her trappings: fur, Chanel (suit, bag, shopping bag, etc.) and an insouciant boy with his tousled hair and heavy boots. Is he a model with his mother? Facial tattoos or make-up from the last show? Perhaps a kept boy? Are they the first to arrive or the last to leave?

From the series Fashion Magazine, which can be viewed here.

CHANEL Men Sneakers Spring 2011

From time to time Karl Lagerfeld produces a few select items at CHANEL for men. These retro running shoes take nylon mesh and leather to a whole new level. Get your CHANEL on.

Available at Jeffrey NY.

Les Trompe L'Oeil de CHANEL Temporary Tattoo

images: chanel

How fabulous is this limited edition collection of CHANEL temporary tattoos? Only for the truly Luxury Obsessed.

From the CHANEL website:

Fifty-five exclusive temporary tattoos in all, originally hand-drawn by Peter Philips, Global Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup, for the Spring-Summer 2010 Fashion Show in Paris. Artful images of CHANEL symbols and icons, including Oriental cherry blossoms and birds, can be mixed and matched for unlimited effects.

Available for $75 USD for a limited time only here.

CHANEL Oversized Reissue 2.55

image: chanel

image: fashionpearlsofwisdom.blogspot.com

image: purseblog.com

Thanks to FashionPearlsofWisdom, a CHANEL obsessed blog that I adore, I just learned about this giant CHANEL. Well, leave it to Karl Lagerfeld, he has finally come up with a Classic Flap large enough for the boys. At 19" across, this giant patent vinyl bag's size would be appropriate, but would any guy dare to rock it?

A Chanel Christmas!

I just got my Vintage Chanel Jumbo XL Lambskin purse yesterday in the mail! I absolutely love it and already took it out last night.  I had been contemplating getting a Chanel flap bag for some time and knew I just had to have this one when I saw Posh and Nicole Richie carrying it.

  

CHANEL Les Exclusifs: Sycomore

My dear friend Ken gave me Chanel Sycomore for Christmas, knowing that it has been on my Wishlist all year long.

I admire all of the Chanel Les Exclusifs, but only a few qualify as genuine masculines, Sycomore being the most masculine of them all. Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez gave it 5 stars in the new paperback edition of Perfumes: The A - Z Guide. For a fragrance to receive their highest rating, it must be in their estimation a "masterpiece", an honor they rarely bestow.

"smoky vetiver . . . the freshest, most salubrious, yet most satisfyingly rich masculine in years. If putting it on does not make you shiver with pleasure, see a doctor." LT

Vetiver based fragrances smell both fresh and woody to my nose and for some reason are not very popular in the US. I have several, but this one is the greatest by far. The smoky incense quality takes vetiver to a new level: romantic, austere, dry and sexy. If it possible for a fragrance to be haunting, then this one is.

Thank you very much Ken.

Chanel Bow Front Bootie

Reader Alexis actually mentioned these to me in an email, so thank you!

These Chanel bow front booties were worn by actress Emily Vancamp (Brothers & Sisters) at a Chanel event back in September. They retail for $1500 and also come in a white tulle version. (Photo credit)


If you want a similar shoe for a lot less, Go Jane now has a version of this bootie and it retails for $22.10. It's also available in red, gold, or silver and you can click here to purchase.


As reader Emily mentioned in the comments, Poetic License has a pair of booties that are also very similar. They retail for $128.95 and you can click on the photo below to purchase.

Chanel Fringed Jacket

This fringed Chanel jacket was part of the Resort 2010 runway show. (Photo credit)



After looking through the Chanel photos, I stumbled upon this great jacket jacket by Boston Proper. I think it definitely give you a Chanel look for a lot less. This jacket retails for $149 and you can click here to purchase.

Inspired by...Chanel

Chanel's iconic jacket, such as the first one pictured below, retails for $4710.



If you love the style of the Chanel but can't afford it (at least not in the near future...maybe someday, if you win the lottery?), you should check out this jacket from American Eagle. It isn't exactly like the Chanel but is more of an inspired by item, giving you a similar look for the more budget friendly price of $69.50. Click on the photo below to purchase (use code 56028963 today only for 20% off your order).


Also the coloring of this inspired by version from Talbots is different, but the pocket detailing and shape is super similar. It retails for $199 and you can click on the photo below to purchase.


A third option is this tweed chiffon trim jacket from Forever 21. It retails for $27.80 and you can click the photo below to purchase.


ProductCode: 2065534074

Inspired by...Chanel *Updated - 9/25*

See bottom of post for update.

A Chanel bag is something that almost every fashionista lusts after at some point in their life. These gorgeous bags are from the Cruise Collection (retail price is not listed).


Now, this bag is definitely not even CLOSE to the amazing quality of a Chanel, but it did remind me of some of the detailing that Chanel uses on their bags. It's kind of a mix of the two featured above (the chain strap detail from the first bag, the clasp detail from the second, and the quilting from both), and is only available in cream. It retails for $20.80 and you can click on the photo below to purchase.


Product Code: 1057526270

*Update 6/26/09* - If you missed out on the Forever21 version but are still looking for a lower priced alternative, check out this version from Aldo. It retails for $40 (the red one is on sale for $24.98) and you can click on the photo below to purchase (also comes in black).

*Update - 9/25/09* - Reader Giselle just wrote in that Wet Seal has a great version of this bag as well. It retails for $16.50 and also comes in silver. Click on the photo below to purchase.

Inspired by...Chanel - *Updated 9/24/09*

See bottom of post for update.

These Chanel pumps with criss cross detailing are from a previous season and I was unable to find the retail price, but I'm guessing $$$. (Photo credit: Google)

Paris Hilton's line has a similar shoe, although it's definitely more of an inspired by version as it does vary (especially the heel). It is currently on sale for $80 at Zappos and is also available in orange. Click on the photo below to purchase these Chanel inspired shoes.

*Update - 9/24/09* - I recently came across these shoes from Newport News and thought they resembled the Chanel shoes as well, at least as an inspired by version. They are currently on sale for $39 and you can click on the photo below to purchase (also come in black).

Chanel J12 Calibre3125 Watch

Credit for this find goes to Financial Services is Not Fashion.

Chanel's gorgeous black and gold J12 watch retails for $8750.


Can't afford the Chanel version? Michael Kors has a great option for $195 (saving you a ton of cash!!) and you can click on the photo below to purchase.