Re-inventing the classic 2.55

I must admit, I am slowly becoming a Chanel convert with the purchase of my very first Chanel bag - a red 2.55

For this upcoming season (F/W 2005) the current doyenne of the great house of Chanel, Karl Lagerfield, has taken it upon himself to re-issue the classic 2.55 as originally designed by the great Madame Coco Chanel herself.

First launched in February 1955 (and thus its name), the design of the 2.55 was considered avant garde for its time as its shoulder chain straps allowed a woman's hands to be free as she could sling the bag on her shoulder. Yup, we have definitely come a long way in feminine design/fashion since then.

The leather of the re-issue is wrinkled and distressed, giving it a romantic vintage air - like a bag that has been lovingly passed down through the generations from your grandmother to you. Karl has removed the distinctive leather strap running through the iconic chain straps for the re-issue. Instead the metal straps have been lovingly reworked into a vintage fleur-de-lis pattern,almost like delicate shoulder jewellery, with gold hardware for the black, nickel for the white and silver for the gray. The re-issue comes in the above three colours only and will be available in seven sizes, with one that will respect the dimensions of the current 2.55 in the Chanel stores.

The re-issue is expected to hit stores in late August/early September. This bag will surely be one of the iconic bags for fall and will be a perfect complement to the Victoriana trend that's sweeping through the runways for Fall.

 

Re-issue of the iconic 2.55 from Chanel ; article reproduced from Harpers Bazaar.

Between seasons - to buy or not to buy?

Ack! I am now facing a shopping crisis-what do you buy between seasons?

I have been out shopping over the weekend in Malibu, checking out the cool shops there like Planet Blue, Madison and Ron Herman. It's summer sales time and what could be better than scoring stylish finds at good prices?

When I was at Madison, beautiful pieces like swishy boho skirts were on sale, as well as beautiful caftans, beaded tops and all things feminine and bohemian. I even saw the same pair of Costume National wedges worn by Nicole Richie recently on sale, but in tan instead of cream:

Note the beautiful cream wedges from Costume National on Nicole! (Candid from http://www.isifa.com)

They were so gorgeous and I remembered how badly I wanted them when I first saw them. However, the more I looked through the racks of wonderful clothes and shoes at Madison, the less excited I felt. Amazingly, the rational part of me realised that I would have very little thing left to wear these summery pieces and I should be investing in good basics, pre-fall items or summer pieces which would translate nicely into the fall trends. Now, when was I ever so rational?

It was the same situation too in Planet Blue and even Ron Herman, which was really a pity because I really liked a lot of stuff there! The amazing thing was that I realised that I could pretty much purchase the same stuff at the shops online and it would be cheaper too with the relevant coupon codes.

So in the end, I pretty much ended my shopping "spree" with some basics from Rachel Pally as well as a Victorian blouse from Anthropologie.

I scored myself a long cami in sand and the shrug in 2 colours - white and persimmon in this picture. Picture from Rachel Pally.com

I also invested in the blouson top in this picture in white.

From Rachel Pally.com

Victorian influences will be big this fall/winter season, and it may be good to invest in a few key pieces, like a lady-like blouse or lace-up knee boots right now.

Sunshine California

So I am back at work for at least three weeks in California.

I have been busy with my transfer to my new department as well as travel.
Job orientation, jet lag..have taken their toll on me.

Once I am settled down, I will update my blog as soon as possible.

Did I mention it's summer sales time here? ;)