Flat Shoes, Funnel Necks and Fanny Packs? A Look At Chanel's 2014 Haute Couture Collection.

It was a bold move by Karl Lagerfeld and CHANEL to put all their runway models in flat tennis shoes for their 2014 Spring Summer Haute Couture show, but it was a bad move.



Attempting to play up the 'sporty' aspect of the largely sparkly haute couture collection for Spring/Summer 2014, many of the models look like those dreadful commuter women who carry their heels in a bag while they take public transportation to work.



And, you know that if a 5'10" stick skinny model on the runway looks dumpy, any other woman who attempts to wear it will look god-awful.

To top it off, the sneakers are ugly (lace or sequin covered with gossamer shoelaces) and not unlike what you see overweight sweat-suit clad mothers wearing in Palm Springs.

Some of the sneakers on the runway:


I've never been a fan of funnel necks and fanny packs and this collection was full of them.

Funnel necks and flats:



That said, many of the pieces in the large collection are beautiful - especially the floor length gowns- and all have the expert craftmanship expected of CHANEL. Mixing textures and patterns, the collection includes everything from structured dresses and rompers to harem pants and glittering sheer suits.

Some of the beautiful gowns:




In terms of the styling, the models sported hair pieces and crystals applied under their eyes, both of which were interesting:


But I had a lot of trouble getting beyond the fanny packs, knee pads and elbow pads on some of the models (I've already bagged on the ugly shoes). I don't care if it's CHANEL, it's a friggen fanny pack, for god's sake. And unless you are going down on a Rap artist or taking part in a luxury roller derby, no one should wear embellished elbow and knee pads.

Fanny packs with matching elbow and knee pads:





And this? WTF is this?:


I like the large emphasis on the waist in many of the silhouettes and the take on their classic CHANEL jacket in this collection. But, given how much I usually admire CHANEL couture, the unflattering bubble skirts, old-lady sneakers and silly accessories ruined the collection -which does have some amazing pieces in it - for me.

Take a look and decide for yourself.

The Entire Collection:






















Close-up images of some of the prettiest and ugliest details:








A video of the entire runway show:


CHANEL

The Echappée Aquarium by Sébastien Cordoleani and Vincent Breed

This structure was designed by Sébastien Cordoleani and built by glass artist and craftsman Vincent Breed, to invite fish to “take a breather,” extending the limitations of the usual tank or aquarium.



above two photos © Erick Saillet

The Echappée (or Extension) was created for the show 15 Designers, 15 Artisans held in Saint-Etienne in December 2010. Each pair had about 2 months to meet up, think, design and make the pieces, with only a dimension constraint of 60 x 60 x 60 cm.

above: The aquarium at the

The purpose of this project, initiated by Emilie Colin Garros, Philippine Lemaire and David des Moutis in summer 2010, was to promote a mode of creation based on the proximity and to reflect the possibility of innovation and creation in a framework where the discussion and the transmission of technical and practical knowledge are possible. It has subsequently traveled including a 2011 exhibition at the French boutique Merci during Designer's Days.




above: The aquarium at the Merci Boutique exhibit.

It is made up of a basin from which a water pipe rises into space, beyond the usual physical limits of an aquarium. By overflowing it offers new horizons to the fish and those who contemplate them. The means to achieve this being simply the application of the physical phenomena of surface tension. The bubble is the central element, a technical challenge for the glass-blower who, by blowing out and sucking in air, will give it the appearance of flowing water.

Echappée (Extension) 2005-2010
Prototype
Dimensions : basin : L 60, W 40, H 11 cm / extension : L 40, W 30 x H 40 cm
Material : glass

images courtesy of Sébastien Cordoleani , Domus, and Design Parade – villa Noailles,

100 Diagrams Represent 100 Great Lines From Movies In One Poster.

The most memorable movie quotes, as selected by the American Film Institute, have been turned into 100 simple black and white diagrams by designer Nathan Yau of Flowing Data.



Venn diagrams, pie charts, bar charts, stick figures and other simple glyphs illustrate such well-known line as "We're gonna need a bigger boat." from Spielberg's JAWS to Scorcese's famous line from Taxi Driver, "You Talkin' To Me?"

Below are some of my favorites I cobbled together (out of order) and enlarged for you:




The Famous Movie Quotes Poster is available for purchase as a 24" by 36" poster printed on 80lb cover with a matte finish, signed and hand-numbered.

There's only going to be one printing, so take advantage of the special pre-order price of $19.00 while it lasts. (Shipping February 2014)
Buy it here

Thanks to Fast Co. Design for bringing this to my attention