After much speculation, it’s finally been confirmed: “Gossip Girl” starlet Blake Lively will serve as Karl Lagerfeld’s muse for Chanel’s new Mademoiselle handbag collection. Lagerfeld shot Lively at Chanel’s famed Rue Cambon salon for a series of ads that will debut in April. As for the bag Lively will be sporting–no doubt in real life and on her show–let us have a closer look. My first reaction: ugh. How boring! The oblong-shaped bag looks like an oversized sponge that Chanel attached a chain strap and CC logo to.
Chanel first debuted this bag at its cruise show in Saint-Tropez last May. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Chanel’s quilted surface; but when applied to this shape it just looks plain cheap and unattractive. Aesthetically, what’s the difference between this bag and a Canal Street knockoff? Am I being too harsh here? My one comforting moment is in knowing that this bag will come in a wide variety of colors, finishes and materials, including jersey, cloth, calfskin, satin, lambskin, alligator and shagreen.
While the standard bags will retail for $2,000 to $3,300 (with models in exotic skins topping out at $30,600), I say save your dollars and get a classic 2.55.