Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2008

By now we all have heard about the giant, well actually gi-normous, exaggeratedly sized classic Chanel jacket that served as the backdrop, or rather the centerpiece to the spring 2008 Haute Couture runway. First it was Marc Jacobs' oversized shopping bags and now Karl Lagerfeld has fled the oversized for supersized props as the harboring attraction of the show.

Ok, it is massive, impressive and pretty fantastic, but the collection is pretty fantastic as well. Choosing to concentrate on the jacket, different variations in different color and fabric ways sashayed down the runway in ballet flats and stockinged legs, it almost all felt like a ballet production only instead of dance being the main attraction it was the clothing.

I think that this is one of the best Chanel shows I have seen within the past few seasons. I love how Lagerfeld chose to reinvent the original. It just goes to show the true meaning of a classic. When something works and is great, sometimes there is no need for change, sometimes things do last forever. They may adapt to time and change its form but they will always be what they were from the beginning - a classic. And this is why I appreciate the art of Karl Lagerfeld, because while he adds newness to Chanel he never tries to supersede the formula.

Photos: stye.com