The House of Chanel has a long and storied history thanks in part to Dame Gabrielle Chanel herself, and the guardian of the modern-day brand, Karl Lagerfeld. The interest in the brand has never been stronger in modern times than now. There have been two films this year alone on Chanel herself, along with a fascinating exhibition making its rounds around the world. Now comes a homage to the silent film era with a film on Mme. Chanel from Kaiser Karl himself. A high-budget, 10 minute film which portrays a young Coco from 1913, the year that Chanel first set up shop, to 1923, when Chanel was established and thriving. I caught the two minute teaser online, and it is a clever nod to Chanel’s talent, her innate charm and ability to seduce many men along her fashionable way. Leave it to Karl to bring the film industry full circle with the usage of silent era techniques - flip cards, no sound, filming in black and white. The technique is in keeping with the economic times, when we as people are seeking a more grounded and meaningful way of expression, of life. They say history repeats itself, in this case it is aptly so. The film will appear on Chanel's website on December 5, 2008.

Leave it to the Kaiser to come up with another all new handbag line for the house of Chanel just in time for the holidays. Forget about the house’s quilted toggle lock classic; push aside the glossy, patent leather shopper totes; move over the lambskin maxis with mini handbag attached; and make way for the new multi-monogrammed, glossy grey canvas clutches, hobos, mini and maxi purses. The bags, covered with the words Paris, 31 Rue Cambon, Coco and Chanel, which are repeated like a spoken mantra, are a departure from the design house’s classic, but are a welcomed fun and fresh take on handbag design. The bags also feature fun and innovative details like snap hooks, inside pockets, invisible zippers and leather reinforcements. The Couture team is a lover of all things Chanel, are huge fans of Karl Lagerfeld, but in reality, in these economic times, we may have to forego a whimsical logo Chanel, in favor of the investment worthy quilted leather Furla Grand Shopper bag we have had our eye on instead.

The man with the golden touch and fingerless gloves, Karl Lagerfeld, designer of Chanel, Fendi, Lagerfeld Gallery, product campaign photographer, writer, has just added road safety to his lofty resume. One does not think of road safety as a hot or sexy commodity, nor do you associate the Kaiser with a fluorescent yellow safety vest, but it is a collaboration that is underway for summertime. Lagerfeld will appear in the road safety ads in France with his typical dour expression, white ponytail and dark glasses, all the while sporting the yellow safety vest encouraging drivers to equip themselves with safety vests with this simple statement, "It's yellow, it's ugly, it doesn't match anything, but it can save your life." But fear not, Karl remains his stylish self, pairing the safety vest with a black suit, crisp white shirt and bow tie.