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Coco Before Chanel: More Than Just a Fashion Flick

FabSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:50:22 -0700

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.

Sneak Peek! Coco Before Chanel

FabSugar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:50:22 -0700

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

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Words of Designer Wisdom: Who Said What?

FabSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:00:22 -0800

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 -0800

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, read more.

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Trash & Luxury Poverty Sucks Tee: Love It or Hate It?

FabSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:00:22 -0700

Ashley Tisdale and Nicky Hilton favorite Trash & Luxury has come out with its latest set of fashiony T-shirts. This time around, the designs are darker and serious. One style is this Trash & Luxury Poverty Sucks Tee ($40) featuring Coco Chanel's shadow. I'm not a T-shirt girl but I can see myself in this one because it's super stylish. And yes, Coco's poverty-stricken beginnings sucked, but look where she ended up in the end?!

Take all of my Love It or Hate It Polls here! To post your selections go to the Love It or Hate It? group. And if you want to learn how to do a blog post click here.

Fab Flash: Stephen Jones Tips His Hat to Audrey Tautou

FabSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:00:22 -0700

Stephen Jones has taken a role in the highly anticipated film, Coco Before Chanel featuring Audrey Tautou. The sought-after milliner, who has designed head pieces for some of the top fashion houses including Mugler, Gaultier, and Christian Dior, will be creating hats for our little French Fabcon in the upcoming biopic.

"She will make a wonderful Chanel, she is equally as petite. We have had to adjust everything. We put a little flower on her head and it looked like a cushion," said Jones. We can't wait to see his millinery madness!

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Trend Alert: Long and Lean Pearls

FabSugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:00:22 -0700

Put on your pearls girls! I know the majority of you prefer diamonds but pearls - long and lean ones - are experiencing a rebirth. My motto is anything that SJP wears, grants trend status; however, I don't think pearls can be considered trendy. They are classic! From Coco herself, to the sidewalks of Hollywood on Ashlee Simpson to the woman who embodies Carrie Bradshaw, a long strand of pearls, or two, or three, is new again.

Source, Source, Flynet

Fab Flash: More Female Designers Exuding Influence

FabSugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:30:33 -0700

Big change is afoot in the fashion industry: after the 90s, which were dominated by male designers, women designers seem to be taking the upper hand.

Even though female designers have a long way to go in male-run fashion capitals like New York and Paris, there does seem to be a trend emerging, particularly in Milan. In Italy alone, a large number of family-run companies were founded or are helmed by women: Alberta Ferretti, Prada, Versace, Fendi, Trussardi, Missoni, Etro, and Emilio Pucci. As Paris-based industry consultant Concetta Lanciaux explained, "Italy's tradition of family ownership for fashion companies gives women a great chance to emerge, whereas France, by contrast, is dominated by luxury groups. It's more corporate."

Although women have always played a pivotal role in fashion, especially in early 1900s Paris, when Coco Chanel, Madeleine Vionnet, and Jeanne Lanvin reigned supreme, after World War II, a new generation of male designers emerged: Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga, and Pierre Balmain. Since then, female designers have come in spurts: Mary Quant and Betsey Johnson in the 60s and 70s, and Rei Kawakubo in the 80s.

Finally, as more and more women are taking charge, their prominence is returning to what it was in early 1900s Paris. Alessandra Facchinetti has just succeeded Valentino, Frida Giannini took over from Tom Ford at Gucci, and let's not forget the outstanding influence of Miuccia Prada. But it all makes sense, as Donatella Versace explains, "women are instinctively in tune with the female customer."

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Look of the Day: Golden Girl

FabSugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 08:20:22 -0700

As Coco Chanel used to say, "In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different." That's always been one of my favorite Chanel quotes, and I dug it out because I think ascotfriday really exemplifies a unique style. She is a golden girl with her seventies-inspired beachy look. And the metallic gold Converse are a Fab final touch!

Here's what she has on:

Top: Vintage
Shorts: 7 For All Mankind
Shoes: Converse

Congrats to ascotfriday!

Everyone else, submit your looks today and I just might feature you on FabSugar! If you live overseas and have a fab outfit to share, join the Overseas Fashionistas Group and to submit a Look in this group learn how to post a blog.

Look of the Day: Cuckoo for Coco

FabSugar — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 07:15:33 -0700

Coco Chanel may have started her fashion career almost 100 years ago, but her look never seems to go out of style, as littlemissme's cuckoo for Coco proves. Black and white is so classic, especially when it's combined using a cardigan, long necklace, and ballet flats. Chanel would be proud!

Here's what she's wearing:

Top: H&M
Jeans: Åhlens
Cardigan: Zara
Shoes: H&M
Necklace: Flea Market

Congrats to littlemissme!

Ribbon-tied long pearl necklace - $200.00	Rachel Leigh Pearl Arrow Necklace - $158.00
Olivia Pearl Necklace - $24.00	Paris Hilton Long Pearl Rope Necklace - $13.21
Kuo Ting Jewelry Japanese Pearl Long Necklace in Gold - $86.00	Majorica Organic Pearl Link Necklace - $195.00
Faux-Pearl & Bow Necklace - $19.00	Betsey Johnson 'School Girl' Tulle Trim Pearl Necklace - $48.00
Linked pearl necklace - $89.50	Rachel Leigh Audrey Long Layered Pearl Necklace - $167.00
Dabby Reid Ltd. Long Strand Pearl Necklace - $98.00