Fashion Story "REAR WINDOW IN MIU MIU" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial
“Who is Gabrielle?” #GabrielleChanel
May 01, 2017 3:00 PM
Everyone knows Chanel 2.55, the bag famously created by Gabrielle Chanel in February 1955 and named after the month and year of its birth. “Coco” Gabrielle Chanel always loved to incorporate numbers into the names of her creations, like “2.55” for what will become the ultimate it-bag and “N°5” for her mythic perfume. But when Karl Lagerfeld designed a new bag as tribute to the fashion house’s founder, he did not chose a number, but instead the name “Gabrielle.”
Elegantly named after Coco, Chanel’s Gabrielle bag was introduced during the Spring-Summer 2017 ready-to-wear collection, and the month of April has been cadenced by the releases of the advertising campaign and four short films, all of which are truly A-list eye candy. In approximatively one-minute-long videos starring Kristen Stewart, Cara Delevingne, Caroline de Maigret, and Pharrell Williams, each character embodies a different style of Chanel. There is, however, another presence– the aura of Gabrielle– felt in each of the four movies, which begs the question, “Who is Gabrielle?”
In the first short film, Kristen Stewart dances as if she was inhabited by Gabrielle’s soul. The mystical tension is not released until she stops in front of a glass inscribed with the name of the founder of Chanel, leaving the heroine in a peaceful bliss. This magical atmosphere is depicted in another opus featuring singer Pharrell Williams in an empty concert hall. Here, the star chose to have a little bit of fun by himself, and the placement of the Gabrielle bag confirms its genderless appeal. At the end of the movie, Pharrell witnesses a mysterious apparition, the return of the aura of Gabrielle looking out over her protégés. And in yet another distinct style, the very Parisienne Caroline de Maigret, one of Chanel's ambassadors, stars in a third short film, or “poetic wander” as she describes it. Wandering in black and white in a Haussmannian apartment, we are left to imagine an appointment taking place between Caroline and, of course, Gabrielle. These three short movies leave us with a strange feeling, a striking and perhaps unsettling impression, that the spirit of Coco Chanel was there with us the entire time.
However, the standout of the releases was the second movie, a peculiar rotoscope animation created by Japanese director ShiShi Yamazaki, most known for her character “ShiShi Girl.” In the Chanel collaboration, Yamasaki left her usual character aside in order to bring a new one to life– a cartoon version of Cara Delevingne. The artistic video plays with pop colors and lines that appear and dissolve into shapes, following Cara, a regular face of Chanel, as she rides her skateboard in a dreamlike world, grabbing bags that hang from trees like mysterious fruit of fashion. The Japanese director only hints at Gabrielle’s presence through Cara’s repetitive calling-out of her name. Cara points out, “My character in the animation– I feel like she’s a young, Parisian skater girl who loves bags a lot. So, basically me!” But, the bag’s tangible feeling of belonging does not apply only to Cara, but to anyone with possession of the sublime Gabrielle.
Inspired by the shape of augmented reality glasses, Karl Lagerfeld indeed brought a very modern design to the new bag’s collection. The Gabrielle’s strap is made with a double-chain, interlaced with leather, and the bag also comes in a hobo version, available as a backpack, a large shopper, and a supple purse. With so many interpretations of the bag and different styles to chose from, the answer to “Who is Gabrielle?” seems to be “you!”
WRITTEN BY LOUISE GUILLOT
EDITED BY HOLLIS DE LANEY
PHOTO CREDIT: CHANEL
related posts
LET'S PLAY: COMME DES GARÇONS PLAY AND CONVERSE DOES IT AGAIN
On Tuesday May 28th, Comme des Garçons PLAY and Converse Pro Leather Collecion will debut their newest sneaker collaboration in New York City.
Parsons Fashion Benefit 2013
Parsons The New School for Design hosted its annual Fashion Benefit red carpet event on Wednesday, May 23.
A CESARE PACIOTTI EDITORIAL "FADE TO WHITE"
Fashion Story "FADE TO WHITE" is now available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial
WILD AT HEART
TWELV's Behind the Scenes takes a step back and visits the masterminds behind the camera.
BACK TO BLACK: BOTTEGA VENETA’S F/W2013 READY-TO-WEAR
Tomas Maier’s Fall Winter collection for Bottega Veneta explored updated classic silhouettes with modern details, fully representative of his French and Italian roots.
ONE MOMENT WITH MARY ELLEN BEAUDREAU AND JENNY LAI
On May 8, RISD grad and designer Jenny Lai of "NOT" collaborated with dancer Mary Ellen Beaudreau for a performance at the South Oxford Space with The Alliance of Residences Theatres in Brooklyn...
SKINGRAFT OPENING
Renowned designer Jonny Cota of SKINGRAFT has opened the brand’s first boutique in Nolita on Manhattan’s Prince Street.
CARRERA IGNITION NIGHT @ 5 BEEKMAN
On May 7, Carrera Sunglasses hosted Ignition Night to celebrate their new line of sunglasses and honor the brand’s roots: “Racing Since 1956”.
CLASSIC GLAM WITH A HOGAN TOUCH
Hogan McLaughlin has already titillated the fashion community with his collaboration with his muse Daphne Guinness and produced pieces for Lady Gaga's "Born This Way Ball".
André Leon Talley's Little Black Dress
Former editor-at-large for Vogue and well-known influential fashion personality, André Leon Talley is now editor-in-chief of Numero Russia and continues as contributing editor of Vogue online.
TWELV ISSUE #3 LAUNCH PARTY
On Tuesday April 9th Twelv Magazine hosted a party at Santos Party House to celebrate the launch of the newest issue of Twelv.
Chrome Hearts: Jewelry and more...
Chrome Hearts merchandise was first featured in a New York store in 1995.
Louis Vuitton Ambassadors Bring on Posh with TL-180 Handbags
My guilty pleasure in handbags materialized when I came across two young, French-Italian designers, Antonine Peduzzi and Luisa Orsini, of handbag label TL-180.
Carlos Miele Brings the Glamour Goddess to Miami for A/W2013
Brazilian designer, Carlos Miele, has been showing his eponymous collection for a decade at New York Fashion Week, but surprised the fashion industry when opting to show his AW'13 collection at...
THE MARC BY MARC F/W2013 CLAN: SOPHISTICATED CHIC
MARC by MARC JACOBS RTW FALL’ 13
DNA "IT" GIRL, CAITLIN HOLLERAN x NOUVEAU PR
Coming off of a worldwide exclusive for Saint Laurent’s SS’13 season, Caitlin Holleran (DNA) is one young beauty that should be on your radar this upcoming season. Chek Wu, Chama, & Maria...
MAISON KITSUNE SEES PEOPLES
The announcement of an exclusive capsule collection between Maison Kitsune and Oliver Peoples seemed only natural as the two brands, driven by a similar aesthetic and minimal design...
BEHIND THE SCENES AT ICB BY PRABAL GURUNG'S DEBUT NYFW RUNWAY SHOW
While Prabal Gurung has been creative director of the iconic Japanese label ICB since its re-launch during the AW'12 season, this outing marked his debut runway show with the brand during NYFW.
PRABAL GURUNG & ZANA BAYNE A/W2013: HARD VS. SOFT
For his AW’13 Collection, Parbal Gurung took inspiration from Time Magazine’s ‘Best Inventions of the Year 2012’ feature on body armor for woman. Naturally, then, his newest outing...
FREJA BEHA & BOTTEGA VENETA'S SCINTILLATING SS'13 CAMPAIGN
The luxury brand Bottega Veneta recently announced their collaboration with famed photographer Peter Lindbergh on their Spring-Summer ’13 ad campaign.
"My Fair Lady" S/S2013 Paris Couture Week Highlights
With fast-fashion retailers mimicking designers’ collections weeks after they’re shown on the runway, and the intense pressure put on designers to now deliver a minimum of four collections a year...
AMELIA TORO: DESIGNING TO EMPOWER WOMEN
You might not have noticed, but back in early October, right between The Highline, all the meatpacking district nightlife hotspots, and the Chelsea projects, a new designer boutique opened up at...
"LIGHTS CAMERA FASHION" PARIS MENS WEEK HIGHLIGHTS
As each year continues to spin on its axis, fashion madness seems to be on its own path to discovery.
THE ESSENCE OF ALAIA
After 30 years of dressing many of the world’s most beautiful women, Azzedine Alaia, with the help of Beaute Prestige International, announced yesterday the upcoming release of the brand’s first...
LUIGI MURENU : BEAUTY GOD
Fashion Story "BEAUTY GOD" is available!
Check inside for the Full Page Editorial
"THE GRAPHIC SKY'S THE LIMIT:" HIGHLIGHTS FROM MILAN MENS FASHION WEEK
The next stop on the fashion calendar brings us to Italy, first to Florence with Pitti Uomo filled with menswear tradeshows and finally to Milan where some of the most renowned designers showed...
SMELLING THE FUTURE: BLACK LABEL BY Y-3
After a celebrated 10 years of collaborating, Yohji Yamamoto and Adidas take their partnership on a new venture. The announcement of Y-3’ first fragrance, Black Label, will take...
"GLADIATORS, STREET PUNKS, SHARKS: OH MY!": HIGHLIGHTS FROM LONDON'S MENS FASHION WEEK
The AW’13 season kicked off last week in London with three days devoted to men’s collections from burgeoning new talents as well as industry veterans like Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen.
IRIS VAN HERPEN SS'13 COUTURE "VOLTAGE" TEASER
Since July 2011, Iris van Herpen has presented her couture collections during Paris Couture Fashion Week as an invited guest of la chamber syndicale de la haute couture.
TWELV TRIES ON G-STAR
In a recent photo shoot, TWELV got up close and personal with the prowess that makes G-Star a force to be reckoned within the competitive world of denim design.
PRADA'S BLOSSOMING SS'13 CAMPAIGN
Miuccia Prada is always fascinated with the conflicting components that surmise contemporary femininity: the freedoms of modernity flush with the constraints of upholding rigid traditions. This...
THE ROW & DAMIEN HIRST'S NILE CROCODILE BACKPACKS
Damien Hirst is one of the most renowned contemporary British artists, best known for his assortment of “Circle” or “Dot” paintings which were first conceived in 1988 with the original painting: “...