france (fashion in context)
France - chanel
You can't talk about french luxury brands and/or french fashion without mentioning chanel. Chanel was founded by gabrielle ‘coco’ chanel 1909, chanel very quickly became known for its elegant and timeless
designs, from channels iconic little black dress to the classic chanel suit, chanel has left an undeniable mark on fashion history and the modern parisian woman.
Chanel interestingly enough starts its life as a small hat shop, the small hat boutique made a name for itself as both fashion forward and innovative thanks to its leadership from founder coco chanel.
When Coco Chanel died in 1971, chanel had to find a new pioneer and creative to lead the way forward with Karl Lagerfeld stepping into the role in 1983. Lagerfeld used his in depth knowledge to bring chael
into the present as many believed they were falling behind and getting stuck in the past but with lagerfeld he strived to bring chanel into the present and did exactly that.
Karl lagerfeld helped improve chanel by developing their designer handbags and luxury accessories, one of the most notable changes in this are of chanel made by lagerfeld would be the double c logo integrated into the clasps of channels most iconic handbags as well as using this motif in some of the jewellery Chanel produces. Ovr time channels bag line grew beyond just classic silhouettes to include playful options too which lead to the runway bag inspired by a rubik's cube. A brilliant part of lagerfeld's reign at chanel would be the spring/summer 2015 chanel catwalk which included a finale protest with signs and loudspeakers. After Karl Lagerfeld had his time in power before he died in 2019 new comer Virginie Viard came into power at chanel. Virginie Viard ushered in a new era at Chanel following lagerfeld's death, which focused on a sleeker, more pared back sophistication whereas lagerfeld tended to lean more onwards the extravagant, Viard often prefers a more subtle motif and runway show set.
Ultimately chanel has done well over the years with its respective leaders over the years but a favourite was definitely lagerfeld and his extravagant runway show set like the big spiral staircase which is just making the whole experience of a chanel runway more exciting and unique in comparison to a more subtle and often used subdued set which wouldn't make for that excitement or exclusivity of the experience.
Not to mention karl lagerfeld's ingenious improvements when adding what is now known worldwide as the chanel logo on the clasps of bags and developed the same shapes and logo into jewellery of which in popular opinion has aged flawlessly and will remain for a long time a staple, for those who can afford it that is.
Bibliography:
Images:
Fashion Designer Karl Lagerfeld Said To Be Facing Accusations Of Tax Evasion (forbes.com)
Chanel rubik's cube bag | Современная сумка, Модные сумки, Клатч (pinterest.co.uk)
SUSAN CAPLAN - Pre-loved Chanel yellow gold-plated clip-on earrings | Selfridges.com
RESELFRIDGES - Pre-loved Chanel Classic double-flap leather shoulder bag | Selfridges.com
research:
(Tom Clegg, March 1, 2023)
(by NICOLE KLIEST
Oct. 4, 2020
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