MoNoChRomE

MONOCHROME

The Black and White colour combo is the classic, elegant, simplest, 
contrasting,
interesting one. 

And the 1920's Fashion designer CoCo Chanel is known to have mastered the 2 colours. 

Her famous designs include the Chanel suit, cardigan jacket,lilttle black dress(an item almost every woman owns),bell buttoms and Chanel No.5 perfume

Karl Lagerfeld is now creative director of the brand which has kept its integrity and values whiles evolving into and incorporating a contemporary look.

One of the Chanel look is the suit. This look adds a masculine side to a woman look or adds a feminin side to a traditional masculine outfit. This idea of designing the unexpected, designing past the social expectancy is very appealing.

Chanel is all about:

StructuRe, TexTuRe and AlLuRe !!! 

Here is a "modernized" version of the original suit . There is an attention to detail with the use of accessories ( buttons and chains) and materials (fluffy edging, contours)Notice the also black and white tight with an interesting "cut" to the knees . 

Not sure if this is Chanel or not but I LIKE!

The pearls add dimension to the shoes. The different use of black material( suede/polish)plays with texture.

This bag reminds me of cushions and  sofas ! It is the sewn in structure of it that i like. I own a bag with the same " bumpy" design but in a mocha colour :) I also like the way it is displayed in this add. again the Black and white. 

Nothing but the contrasting object positioned in a structurally impossible way(handles)

Talking about adverts you gotta love the Chanel magazine adds.

Again black and white photos

2009 shoot

 This ad promotes the new Chanel Prestige A/W 2011 collection. The frames have been designed to resemble Chanel's chain and leather-lace strap on their iconic handbags. 

If u look at the composition of the image u will notice the main subject is not at the centre. I see 2 focal points. The logo positioned dynamically with the angle of the model's face. And the flower which attracts attention to the frames of the glasses,  balances the images and adds softness to the dramatic shoot. 

2007                                         2005

These two images have a lot in common. This shows continuity in the brand and the styles of the posters. Same perfum, same scribbled but very deliberately positioned. The models Keira Knightly and Kate Moss are diffrent but they are photographed in the same atmosphere. A spot light at the back, a perle necklace, an iconic object(bowler hat/white rose), a dark hairstyle. They are both captured in a vulnerable and sensual state. 

2005

2004

This one is more classic. It reminds us of painted portraits . I think of "The girl with the pearl earrings" by artist Johannes Vermeer. I love the velvety feel of the dominant black background. There is continuity between the dress and the background. This ad was part of a whole campaign. 

Have a look at the making of the short film/ TV commercial adverts. It maintains the classic yet modern atmosphere. All this with the use of emotional blurry close up shots, slow motion frames, classical music, dramatic lighting and skyline/aerial views of New York.

Oh and i recommend the film. You will see a Fashion Collection from the 70's. It's in french but the story is about a life and not just a brand.

Here a taste: