An artisanal Scottish knitter says Chanel ripped off her designs

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Among the highlights of Chanel’s pre-fall 2016 show in Rome on Dec. 1, was designer Karl

Lagerfeld’s walk on the runway, surrounded by a dapper gang of rugged-looking guys in Fair Isle sweaters. This finale put the spotlight directly on the Fair Isle pattern, which Lagerfeld used a few times in the show, and—since it’s Chanel—immediately started generating buzz around the traditional Scottish design.

It also caught the attention of Mati Ventrillon, an actual knitter on the little island of Fair Isle, who accuses Chanel of copying her work.

In a post on her Facebook page, Ventrillon posted a picture of her design next to Chanel’s. “Earlier this summer, two Chanel staff visited Fair Isle and bought some of my stock garments with the understanding that the garments were for research,” she wrote. “I specifically said that I was going to sell it to them for the reputation of Chanel house and because I would not expect them to copy my design.”

When a commenter asked if it was her original pattern or just a sweater she made from a traditional design, she explained: “The patterns are traditional Fair Isle patterns but the black and white design and the pattern arrangement is my design. I designed that garment for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations in 2012 as part of Oxford Street Fashion Flags Campaign.”

She also posted a separate image from Chanel that shows a sweater bearing a strong resemblance to another she makes.

Quartz has reached out to Chanel for comment and will update this post with any response. A spokesperson for the company told Express, a UK news site, that it was looking into the allegations and said Chanel was “attentive to and respectful of all creations.”

The sweaters appeared in Chanel’s annual Métiers d’Art show, which is meant to celebrate the craftsmanship of Chanel’s artisan partners.

Ventrillon’s accusation appears to have sparked anger among those in Fair Isle and Shetland, who feel their patterns and name have been too often appropriated by brands with no connection to their region in northern Scotland. Gary Robinson of the Shetland Council called it “exploitation” on Twitter.

Coco Austin and Daughter Chanel Are Twins in Throwback Baby Photo

Coco Austin and her new daughter Chanel Nicole have a lot more in common than their inherent modeling skills.

The two beauties look just alike!

Ice-T‘s wife took to Instagram on Thursday and shared a split image of the pair and baby Chanel. In the pic, the newest addition is featured on the left and Austin is on the right, but aside from just a few subtle changes, the difference is hard to tell.

“This is kinda a crazy… The pic on the right is me when I was born and Chanel is on the left.. A lot of the resemblance,” Austin, 36, captioned the photo.

The couple welcomed their first child together days after Thanksgiving on Nov. 28, and haven’t been shy about sharing her with the world.

Just hours after their little girl was born, both parents shared photos on Instagram and Twitter announcing the birth of their bundle of joy.

“Surprise!!! Look who came early!! Welcome the new arrival of Chanel Nicole,” Austin shared on social media. “A beautiful healthy 5.7 pound baby girl.”

Three-time papa — who already has two adult children — Ice-T, followed up his wife’s posts with one of his own reading, “Ladies and Gentlemen! Please allow me to introduce to the World…Baby Chanel 5.7 pounds. Love is Love.”

Another trait she got from her mother? Baby Chanel is pretty popular! She already has 194 thousand followers on her own Instagram page!

Chanel pays record price for retail space on Rodeo Drive

Chanel has purchased its store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills for about $152 million.

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

French luxury retailer Chanel paid a record price for retail space on Rodeo Drive amid continued strong demand for properties along the swanky Beverly Hills corridor.

Chanel bought its 11,500-square-foot store at 400 N. Rodeo Drive, which it had been leasing, for about $152 million, or $13,217 per square foot, according to Elkins Kalt Weintraub Reuben Gartside, one of the law firms involved in the transaction.

That's a record high for the famous three-block Rodeo Drive area, which also includes such familiar luxury retailers as Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Gucci and Prada, said Scott Kalt, one of the law firm's founding partners.

The price reflects the economy's rebound from the severe recession a few years ago, a major influx of foreign money into the high-end retail market, store renovations along Rodeo Drive that are driving more sales and Chanel's specific goals for its Rodeo Drive presence.

Chanel also owns another store next door and the company wanted to own both structures, "ultimately to tie them together in some fashion," Kalt said.

Chanel bought the store it was leasing from a partnership of two families that had owned the property since the late 1980s, he said.

The prior record price for retail space on Rodeo Drive was set in 2013 when LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton bought its 7,100-square-foot property for $85 million, or $11,971 per square foot, the law firm said.

Rodeo Drive ranks second among the most expensive U.S. retail streets, trailing only upper Fifth Avenue in New York, the commercial brokerage Cushman & Wakefield said in a report last month.

Louis Vuitton’s Newest Handbag Costs $55,500

 

 

(Photo Getty Images)

If you happen to have a spare $55,500 laying around, congrats: you can be the proud owner of Louis Vuitton’s newest handbag. Yep, the French fashion house—which has been dedicated to recapturing its exclusivity lately—just released the latest update to its ultra-luxe City Steamer bag made out of crocodile skin that costs the same amount as the average American’s annual income.
In August last year, the label made headlines for debuting its Crocodile Lady Bag PM, priced at a totally normal $54,500, and the brand has released special-edition satchels that were even more pricey, but those were a short-term offering, making the City Steamer LV’s most expensive, according to PurseBlog.
We’re betting the bag won’t be mass-produced, or even be sold on Vuitton’s website, and it’ll likely only be made available to very important clients and influencers. Even though it’s available right now, you’ll have to call the brand to inquire. Translation: You’re not about to spot it on the arms of every blogger you follow on Instagram.

 

 

The Louis Vuitton Steamer Bag costs $55,500. (Photo: Louis Vuitton)

Art Basel Brings a Louis Vuitton and Marcel Wanders Collaboration

IN A CONTINUED SPIRIT OF INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION, LOUIS VUITTON TAPPED DUTCH DESIGNER MARCEL WANDERS FOR ITS “OBJETS NOMADES” EXHIBITION.

In a continued spirit of innovation and collaboration,Louis Vuitton tapped Dutch designer Marcel Wanders for its “Objets Nomades” exhibition. Spotlighting a collection of travel-inspired objects created with ten international designers, the exhibit will offer the world debut of Wanders’ lounge chair at the Maison's Design District store.

Wanders, who’s best known in South Florida for creating the modern yet fantasy-like interiors of the Mondrian South Beach hotel, brought the iconic Knotted Chair to the delight of design devotees around the world. We struck up a conversation with Wanders about the exhibition, Art Basel, Wynwood and more.

You are in town for the unveiling your lounge chair collaboration with Louis Vuitton. Describe this creation for those not-in-the-know: I must begin by saying we were attracted to the opportunity to collaborate with such a revered brand, as well as, the challenge of creating a luxurious piece that embodies the illusion of travel. As mobility and adventure have been an integral component of the Louis Vuitton brand since its inception, the foundation of our object was exploration.  

By starting with the human form, and the playful way we express ourselves, we were able to design something that adapts to space and allows those who experience it to connect with it in the most meaningful way. An unfolding and portable haven for relaxation, the three individual leather modules fit into each other like a puzzle, yet when individually configured create three distinct solutions — a chaise lounge, a lounge chair and a pouf.    

What is the difference between collaborating with a heritage brand as opposed to a brand which is newer? When you work with an established, iconic brand like Louis Vuitton, there is an inherent respect for their long-time success and dedication to craft, even before the project begins.

Working with a newer brand is different and has its own motivations. With a newer brand you take a little bit more of a leadership role. During the collaboration, you are mentoring, sharing, teaching, yet still collaborating, in an effort to achieve something everyone is proud of. Also, with a newer brand there is a special type of joy you get from watching them grow and establish themselves — it's a refreshing and invigorating process.  

What did the process entail? Were there parameters with materials and design?Crafted with style and surprise, Louis Vuitton's supremely luxurious leather objects have stood the test of time, elevating mobility and freedom to an art form.   Our goal was to connect to the ingenuity and history of the Louis Vuitton brand. Therefore, we wanted to make something sensual to the touch, and with the caramel leather color on the outside, and iconic pink, flesh tone of suede inside, this lounge chair instantly resonates with Louis Vuitton's sensibility to quality, elegance and craftsmanship. The use of belts and straps allowed us to associate with the unique, high-end quality luggage and holistic travel experience that Louis Vuitton is known for. With a gesture to Miami Beach's historically rebellious colorful architecture, a second long chair is created of turquoise leather called “Ocean Drive Inspiration.” While this is a substantial piece, that maintains considerable size, it is designed in a way that makes it very light, yet durable.  

What do you love most about Art Basel Miami Beach? The personal attention that is offered to the show’s visitors to make sure they are presented with the most important art that the world's best galleries can offer is unmatched. It's really about connectivity. By staging art shows for the highest quality modern and contemporary art every year, it has become one of the most anticipated events in the world.    

When in Miami, which neighborhoods do you enjoy exploring? It would be hard for me to say that I have one specific neighborhood of Miami that is my favorite. Design District is a wonderful part of the city to immerse yourself in all the fashion and luxury there. I also enjoy being by the water, along the beach. But really, I like all parts of Miami, as it is such a wonderful city in regard to its ethnicity and openness to diversity. There are such vibrant colors throughout the city. There is dimension here, a tangible texture that you do not experience in many places. Diverse in its colors and cultural architecture, it is an international portal that serves as both the departure and arrival point for vivid imagination and passionate experiences. But possibly Wynwood has stolen my heart most, its vibrant street art pulls me there and has never disappointed  

You are regarded as an anomaly in the design world, what sentiment is behind everything you create? I am here to create an environment of love and to live with passion. My goal is for everything I make to be meaningful, to touch the heart and mind and make our most exciting dreams come true.