Looking for the Chanel Jacket

Last Tuesday’s  Chanel show at Grand Palais was the end of Fashion Week. Even with less fashion editors traveling, many of the faithful showed up.  

I kept my eyes peeled for an authentic Chanel jacket. Would I be able to identify a real one vs. a copy?

So many variations on a theme.

Did you know Chanel got her cardigan idea from an Austrian menswear Loden  jacket? Its true. 

This one looks home-made. It doesn’t hang right.

There should be a little gold chain in the jacket’s hem. There are a gazillion DYI youtube videos.

I once visited Hawick (pronounced Hoyk) in Scotland for Christmas where Chanel Tweeds were once woven. That’s the closest I’ve come to a Chanel jacket. Plus gawping at the bi-annual Chanel shows. 

This one seems right. I like the simplicity of the collar-less look.
A fun Chanel printed leather jacket in name only.
I love this wittyKarl’ bag with Coco’s Ritz suite address on it.

You can see the latest Spring/Summer 2021 show 
here. Lots of bright pink and bathrobe styling.

The ultra simple decor - giant Chanel letters like HOLLYWOOD. I miss Lagerfeld’s wild fantasy sets... 

Grand Palais is right by the Pont Alexandre III bridge. What a dramatic setting. Should I map this? 

I’ve been imagining a real Chanel jacket draped over an Empire chair...easy to do with watercolors. Its in my etsy shop if you want to have your own Chanel jacket. Bonne Week-End dear PBers. Keep dreaming of Paris❤️💋🐻

Chanel show, Fall 2020/21

I almost didn't go yesterday to gawp outside the CHANEL show (online here). The finale of PFW/Paris Fashion week is always at Grand Palais and the sun always comes out for Chanel. The better to see the head-to-toe OTT Chanel outfits.

Even if the world is going to hell in a hand basket. I want that basket❤️ 

Watching the invitées, I kept hearing in my head, "She works hard for the money" It ain't easy being rich, beautiful and perfect. A lotta hard work goes into it. I am finished with ice cream. I mean it. 

The music on the Instagram Chanel video btw is: Pan & Polo-Canopee. I'm in love❤️ 

Their skirts looks like kitchen foil. Must a cost a mint.

Clean simple all-black chic not screaming Chanel 👍🏻

The no makeup look. She's French.

Bear 🐻 Loved the stripes.

Sorry about the ciggie. She's French.

Those split white pants were in the show.

Mary Poppins? Ooops No its GiGi/Leslie Caron  

Love the boots. As for the looks (lewks is the word) on the runway...See  VIDEO, IMHO there's a lotta of LITTLE WOMEN influence. i.e. white-lace collar/cuffs, puffy sleeves, fitted long coatdresses. What do you think? Thanks for reading PB. Please share. Keep safe everyone 🙏🏻 Make chicken soup and enjoy Paris letters 💌and watercolors in your own mailbox 📬Xxx❤️Carolg🐻Bear

Chanel Spring 2018

The grand finale of Paris Fashion Week. Chanel at Grand Palais. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Too much fun to watch the parade of harried invitées in their Chanel finery.

The day started with Paris drizzle. By 10:00 the sun was wrecking shots right and left. That's Paris weather for you. Be prepared. *Note bag and back bow.

Plenty of shine and dazzle always at Chanel shows.

Love this Anna Magnani type woman with great hair.

Another beauty in a stunner beige coatdress.

Love love love

Golden snakeskin booties

The best. Chanel golden, quilted of course fingerless gloves iPhone ready.

The envelope please. And your passport. The guests take pics too.

White is huge. And fluff.

Guys wear Chanel quilty bags plus Chanel classic gold-trimmed jacket. Why not?

Hurry up Cinderella. Its almost show time.

Les girls in their tweedy Chanel jackets, bags and shoes.

One bare shoulder, ruffles, a fur. Ready, set, go.

Shall I paint the Grand Palais? Or your cat at Chanel?

What fav Paris monument shall I paint next? 

Any in London? Bear is going to London tomorrow morning!

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Check out Chanel videos on INSTAGRAM 

Thank you for reading Parisbreakfast.

Chanel Spring 2016

On Tuesday I joined the gawpers outside Grand Palais for CHANEL 2016 Spring collection.

Franchement, I think it's far more fun to gawp at the FAB fashion parade of attendees, running the paparazzi gauntlet outside than to go in, grab a seat probably way in the back, wait and wait easily 45 minutes for the show to begin. Then crane your neck, hoping to see the show whizzing by in 10-15 minutes tops. You're head is spinning but you must pile out, feeling a bit crushed you weren't been invited to the elite soiree back stage. Of course if Chanel or any other fashion house should wish to send me an invite I will be there !!!

By the way Kaki green is the HOT color for Fall PBers. Long skirts too.

As always many Chanel addicts are over-dressed to the nines. This gal makes it works.

These two? Way OTT (over-the-top and trying too hard) IMHO, although def amusing and fashion is frivolous after all.

Front row A-listers like pajama-clad Vogue Grace Coddington and Colette owner Sarah Lerfel don't have to bother decking themselves out in multiple CCs.

Do you know hot, hot New Yorker, Leandra Medine blog Man Repeller? (on far right) and maybe wearing a Chanel choker. I'm addicted. The tone is witty, irreverent observations of the fashion world, hugely followed and she's a mere 26. MR has won every prize in the book. 'In 2012, Medine was featured in Forbes's "Top 30 Under 30" as one of the year's "most influential trendsetters," while The Man Repeller was recognized in TIME's "25 Best Blogs of 2012", and received "Best Overall Blog" at the 2012 Bloglovin' Awards. In 2013, Medine was featured in Fast Company Magazine's "100 Most Creative People" issue.
Check out Leandra's take on all the copycat looks at the shows. She nails it.

Front row editor Giovanna Battaglia was wearing unmatched earrings (see above sketch) and her signature flower power prints.

Did I say Chanel 2016's theme was airport and Chanel Airlines. Security was très tight getting in and all the invites were faux airline tickets. Witty.

Inside a giant airport scene perfect for Grand Palais' enormous airy space.

A-Mazing hair! Pretty amazing zebra-striped coat. Is that a dead frog/zebra around her neck? And is it Chanel? Qui sait. As long as you're wearing black and white something or other you're IN.

More fabulous hair.

Love the gauzy black tutu skirt with Chanel tweedy black and white jacket.

The Asian attendees do Chanel right. Meticulous perfection every time. One woman was wearing Chanel pink sweater set with ropes and ropes of pearls over denim overalls. More pictures on FLICKR.

Simply gorgeous..oui?

Great hair and daring décolletage. Not sure if off-the-shoulder look is her creation or Karl's?

Attendees after the show with their goodie bags. Sometimes it's just a Signature bottle water, but me thinks not at Chanel.

I was aghast seeing how this woman tied her precious Chanel jacket casually round her waist till I got a look at the show shots. Copycat!

The Happy pants I would guess are Not Chanel. Her bag is though. Black and white suit on the right is hot hot hot.

Japan Vogue editor Anna Della Russo was wearing it so you know. Bet her undies have CCs on em. Note Chanel signature dish bag.

Where are the men you ask? This dreamboat is divine Brit violinist Charles Siem, the pro photographer nearby let me know. miam miam

Super top top architect/ designer Peter Marino in his usual garb - black leather with tatoos. Marino earned a degree in architecture from Cornell University, and apprenticed in New York City under I. M. Pei, George Nelson and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Andy Warhol was his mentor and early patron.

Top sound designer for Lagerfeld, Dior, Celine, Michel Gaubert. Chanel is always the coup de grace (the finishing blow) of Paris Fashion Week. Now back to drawing sketch letters and Paris Maps! I'm en retard. But if you'd like some of the lovely Chanel perfume touches shown at the top, do (re-)subscribe s'il vous plait.

So how come I do not have these super red lunettes?