Karl & Coco

Once upon a time there were two Parisian Legends. Though they lived in different
times, their lives were joined by an address: 31 rue Cambon.
This is the story of a vision conceived by Coco and completed by Karl.

Coco started a small fashion atelier in 1913 ... . . and soon revolutionized
the way women dressed.



After the interruption of World War I , new life came to Paris in the
form of numerous exiled White Russians .




Impressed by their elegance ( in spite of their recently reduced
circumstances), Coco declared:


Alas, it was not to happen until many year later, when Karl had become the
head of the house at 31 rue Cambon .... .. . which we all know as simply -
C H A N E L .
Russia was much changed by then ( 2008 -2009). The extreme opulence of the
days of the last Czar had been reborn on the streets of Moscow. Gone were the
bread lines of the Communists - in were the deep pockets of the Oligarchs.
Karl reached back to the Czarist court costumes : the traditional headdresses
dripping with pearls, the heavy embroidery and enameled jewels.

Photo shoots were scheduled at the Russian Embassy in Paris.


Over 70 years after the seed had been planted .. . .
the House of Chanel debuted
the Paris - Moscow Collection.

Karl took the long awaited bow.



A Footnote to the Fairytale ... .... . . ....
Yes, that would be Karl behind the camera after the show. One might think that
being a legendary fashion icon and bringing the House of Chanel into the
21st Century would quite enough. Not for Karl Lagerfeld.

In his spare time , he is quite the accomplished photographer and
filmmaker. The above black and white stills are taken from The Short Film .. .
a beautifully stylized film, by Karl Lagerfeld, done in the manner of an
old silent film. It sets forth
the history of Coco Chanels' inspiration as "recalled" through his camera.

Do stop by the Chanel website HERE , to see the complete film,
as well as more of these glorious photographs.


All photos from Chanel.com