FASHION ICON "A." Gabrielle "Coco" Bonheur Chanel

my favorite Chanel portrait, by George Hoynigen-Huene

Born: August 20, 1883

Died: January 3, 1971

Showed in: 31 Rue Cambon, Paris, France

The supreme Fashion Icon, she cannot be pigeonholed in one fashion strata; simply put, she was an amazing and pioneering businesswoman, trendsetter, designer, stylist, and marketer.

Chanel's Gifts to Fashionistas:

• Chanel No. 5. (and the fabulous bottle it comes in)
• The Little Black Dress
• Fabulous Faux Pearls and Costume Jewelry
• The suntan
• Jersey dresses
• The boxy tweed suit
• Quilted Chanel bag
• Designer logo

Lasting legacy:

"Kaiser" Karl Lagerfeld has since stepped in to provide us more important and lasting fashion moments as the House of Chanel continues to reign supreme. Not least of which is this season's must-have, already-sold-out-going-for-three-times-its-pricetag-on-eBay nail varnish, "Black Satin".

GAP Ad Misses Mark. By MILES and MILES.
I'm sorry. I generally love GAP ads. The company has established themselves as the "Apple" or mass apparel advertising. (Apple computers, not Gwyn offspring). Who can forget the "swing" commercials of the mid-90's and the Taryn Manning/Marianne Faithfull commercials. Heck, even the last "Denim Takes Shape" commercial was pretty of-the-moment. So I was waiting for a great ad after receiving their direct mail piece on the new Audrey pant... Right, how could they miss? Great name, great icon, great history of great advertising. Yet, they did miss.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj923YC3IN0

There's something just so wrong about this ad. There are moments of brilliance, and maybe with a different song it would have worked. "Back In Black" just reminds me of Lewis Black and I'm sorry, this pant isn't about being black, it's about being skinny.

But not only does it completely annoy me that they took this great scene from Funny Face and made...this...what's worse is that it doesn't even feature their pants. They win my MissedMark award for "what-were-they-thinking" advertising this week.

And While We're Talking Blue and Purple...

J'adore the new bluish-purple (or is it purpley-blue?) double V-neck, shirred tunic that I picked up at Express. While they still insist on pushing those low-rise bootlegs as "America's Favorite Pant," (hasn't been in at least a year!), you still gotta love a store where you can pick up this pitch perfect Fall stand-by AND the gorge necklace shown too - and all for under $100!

SEPHORAHAUL: Everything New is New Again.


Dateline: Sephora Bellevue Square. Tuesday, Sept 5 2006

The latest objects of my affection:

• Nars Eyeshadow Duo in "Demon Lover". (Don't you love how the colors match this blog?? I sware I didn't plan that.) I'm having a blue and purple moment...aren't we all?

• The NEW packaging for Kiss Me's Blinc Mascara. The blue tube is the "old" and the new is silver, which comes in this fabulous screw-top tube with the new slogan "STOP painting your lashes...TUBE them." And trust me; once you tube, you'll never go back, cheres.

U.S. - Ready to Go (RED) in October?


I absolutely cannot wait for the (PRODUCT) RED Campaign to hit the states. For MONTHS now, I have been chomping at the bit for my chance to get the red Motorola MotoSLVR and (RED) AmEx card. The ability to support my favorite "cause" (the Global Fund) while purchasing products is, to me, the ultimate in luxury spending.

Launched this Spring in the UK, (RED) brings together financial services, telecommunications, apparel, and accessory companies who offer products and services that contribute back to the Global Fund. Officially, "(PRODUCT) RED was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands to produce RED-branded products. A percentage of each (RED) product sold is given to The Global Fund. The money helps women and children with HIV/AIDS in Africa."

The very latest ad campaign from the AmEx Red card features two gorgeous creatures: Gisele Bundchen and Kaseme, a Masai warrior. If you have not already seen these images or the behind the scenes interviews, you really must do so now!!

So yes, I plan on switching my AmEx Blue to the new AmEx Red as soon as it launches. Also be on the lookout for the (RED) MotoSLVR and the "Inspi(RED)" tees at the Gap in October. Oh, and don't forget your ONE T-shirt by Edun at Nordstrom Oct 1st, while you're at it.