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Inspired Spring: Coco Chanel's Tailored Chic

Noria Morales — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 07:53:42 PDT

When Audrey Tautou brought the spark and sophisticated Parisian style of Coco Chanel to brazen life in the flick Coco Before Chanel, we got hooked on the iconic designer in her earlier years. How to adopt Coco's youthful vitality and style? It's about a smart jacket, a string of pearls, the ubiquitous striped top, and lots of menswear elements: wide trousers, vests, a hat. To make it modern, add casual elements to these more tailored, classic pieces. For example, mix a boucle jacket with a t-shirt, skinny jeans, and brogues. Or try wide-leg trousers with a slouchy silk shirt and tons of bracelets. We've gathered the best elements for a chic, ladylike wardrobe that is just a little smart 'n' sassy. Coco, we hope you would approve.

Inspired: Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

CasaSugar — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 10:00:00 PDT

I'm really looking forward to seeing the romantic biopic Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinksy, based on the novel by Chris Greenhalgh, which debuts in limited release June 11. My interest isn't due so much to the plot itself, which is only loosely based on the legends' lives, but the sets. Couture clothing aside, the film seems worth watching simply for Coco's Art Deco workshop and her chic villa.

From the stills, you can see that the production designers have translated Chanel's signature black and white palette to the interiors in a way that's really relevant to the early 20th century. From antiques like the Tiffany-style floor lamp, phonograph, and avant-garde armchairs to backdrops like the black painted moldings, cubic wallpaper, and black and gold Chinoiserie folding screen, every last detail brings to life a fairy tale fashion dream.

To see my décor picks inspired by this intriguing film,

Fab Gift Guide: Fun Fashion Reads

FabSugar — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:50:22 PST

If you enjoy my Fab Reads, here's another bunch that would make awesome gifts this holiday. They're perfect for bookworms that have a knack for fashion. This super handy The Fairchild Dictionary of Fashion ($44) will help strengthen your friend's fashion vernacular. There are also tomes about Coco Chanel, Marie Antoinette, the modeling industry, and more. Read on.

Be sure to check out all the PopSugar Network's 2009 holiday gift guides!

Freaky or Fabulous? Mousy Designers

FabSugar — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:00:22 PST

You're looking at Coco Chanel-O-Mouse, Betsey Johnmouse, Karl Lagermouse, and Anna Wintourmouse, Tra Tutti's designer fashion mice ($40 each). They're the perfect stocking stuffers . . . or are they? A musophobe may disagree. They're all cute, though Karl looks especially good as a mouse, shades and all. What do you think, freaky or fabulous?

Have something freaky or fabulous to share? Join my Freaky or Fabulous? group and start posting. I may feature your story!

Coco Before Chanel: More Than Just a Fashion Flick

FabSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:50:22 PDT

I thought I had a good handle on the woman, the legend, Coco Chanel: Gabrielle, a magical seamstress, androgynous, smoker. Little did I know when I sat down to see Coco Before Chanel that I was going to embark on an emotional roller coaster - beautiful, deep, tear-inducing.

Naturally, a big part of the film is the wardrobe, but don't go expecting extravagance. Remember, this is Coco before Chanel, when she would make hats at home and sew her clothes out of her lover's closet. Menswear influences - bow-ties, vests, bowler hats - are major players. Pearls and tweed came much later; perhaps there should be a sequel, Coco After Chanel.

Read my review and see more photos.

Get the Look: Coco Avant Chanel

CasaSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:00:43 PDT

When it comes to movies, I'm a sucker for beautiful sets and stunning costumes. That's partially why I'm so excited about seeing the biopic about Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's early years, Coco Avant Chanel. Starring Audrey Tautou as well as many fabulous costumes, which were created by Catherine Leterrier, this film opens in the US in mid-September. I was so taken with the costumes that I decided to see how I could translate Leterrier's lovely creations to the home world.

Sneak Peek! Coco Before Chanel

FabSugar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:50:22 PDT

You saw the movie trailer, now it's time to get up close and personal with scenes from the upcoming Coco Before Chanel. Fun fact: Keira Knightley was originally offered the role of Madame Chanel, but French actress Audrey Tatou ended up the star. But if you ask Karl, he prefered Penelope Cruz. No matter, because judging from the movie stills, Tatou is exceptional at portraying fashion's most celebrated designer. The way she wears that bowler hat, the pearls, that signature Chanel tweed is magical. I can't wait to see her come to life on-screen. A US date has yet to be announced, but the film debuts in France and Belgium Apr. 22. Get a sneak peek now.

Source: IMDb

Words of Designer Wisdom: Who Said What?

FabSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:00:22 PST

Designers have a lot to create but they also have a lot to say. Some very well-known quotes have come from the world's most famous designers like Coco Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, and Marc Jacobs. Sometimes they speak to back up their work, to defend the fashion industry, or to reveal their style preferences. To find out how well you know the words of the most popular designers to date, read the quotes below and guess who said them.

Source, Source and Source

Take the Quiz

On Our Radar: Karl Lagerfeld's Silent Tribute to Coco Chanel

FabSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:00:22 PST

While we eagerly await Coco Avant Chanel, check out Karl Lagerfeld's directorial debut in his 10-minute silent film toasting Coco Chanel in her youth. “It’s a funny movie, unpretentious,” says Lagerfeld. “Chanel was a charming woman, at liberty to seduce men. Everybody this year has decided to make a movie about Chanel, and you know their historical worth is not always too exact.”

Karl kept his cast tight, choosing model Edita Vilkeviciute to play Coco, his bodyguard to play a nightclub owner, and workers in his atelier to play parts in the movie. “I cannot take extras,” says Lagerfeld. “They don’t know how to touch the clothes.” The short film, described as light-hearted and fun, premieres in Paris this week - we can't wait for it to hit the web!

To see the film,

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Source

First Look: Coco Chanel on Lifetime

BuzzSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:39:07 PDT

With the fashion world abuzz at New York Fashion Week right now, it seems an apt time for Lifetime to premiere its look at the life of one of fashion's true icons: Coco Chanel. Coco Chanel stars Shirley MacLaine as the legendary designer (and Barbora Bobulova as the young Coco) who began life in a French orphanage and worked her way up through the fashion world, ultimately bringing us classic suits, the little black dress, and a perfume that's endured for decades.

Lifetime calls Chanel "a glamorous woman who was hard to love and harder to ignore," and that comes through in this trailer. Yes, there's the obligatory breathless "fashion! is! my! life!" declaration, but there are also some great scenes of MacLaine's Coco berating a woman for wearing a subpar outfit and literally ripping the skirt off her body. Oh, if only she could bring her sharp tongue to the Project Runway stage!

The movie premieres this Saturday, Sept. 13, at 8 p.m. To watch the trailer,

Photo courtesy of Lifetime

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