Southern Protocol

Just the other night I was chatting with a group of friends about the fabulous little fashion documentaries that always sprout up right before or around fashion week. Then here we are, a mere 2 weeks before the tents debut at the Lincoln Center, and what do I hear about? A film by documentarian Loic Prigent called “The Day Before”, set to premiere on The Sundance Channel on Fashion Week Eve (September 8th).

The much anticipated four-part documentary follows six design houses in the chaotic 36 hours prior to the lights dimming on the runway. It’s been reviewed as a refreshing glimpse behind the scenes as 4 big name designers scramble to make everything come together! Set your DVRs to catch Sonia Rykiel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Proenza Schouler, and (the one and only) Karl Lagerfeld.

The tell-all documentary starts Wednesday, September 8th at 5:00 pm eastern, and runs every night at the same time through Saturday.

Lizz and I always lament the over casualness of modern dressing. Like really, would it kill you to take off your sweatpants before you left your house? There’s actually a great little page in September’s Marie Claire where Tim Gunn – in his Tim Gunny voice that makes me so giggly and happy…because yes I can hear his voice even in print – said that he’s so tired of people complaining about not being as “comfortable” in tailored clothes, because you’re not SUPPOSED to be as comfortable. You’re supposed to be presenting yourself to the world, and not wanting to lounge in bed. Touche, Tim, you win again.

Anyhoo, someone we can always count on to never, ever dress down is Karl Lagerfeld. I stumbled across this picture of the elusive mastermind vacationing in St Tropez – did he ditch the Victorian suit? The gloves? The heavy shoes? Never! The tight suit and all its accoutrements stayed. The only difference? Tan fabric of course, because that makes it look so summery in the tropical heat! I actually originally found a picture of him hilariously lounging on a swing, in his traditional super stiff demeanor, but I can’t remember where I saw it… so this pic will have to do.

Gotta love Uncle Karl!

Call me crazy and please don’t throw empty cans at the screen, but I just don’t love the fizzy beverage that I believe is secretly crack but goes by the name of Diet Coke. I don’t relate to the “must have a DC now and three more within the next hour” mentality that dominates the masses. Cue Lizz shooting me disgusted glances across the office, because she is part of said mass. Forgive me!

And now I am even more devastated by my taste buds, because Uncle Karl is officially endorsing Diet Coke (or Coca Cola Light as it is called overseas)! You’d think that he would design bottles for Cristal or some uber fancy vodka drink with a hint of million dollar tonic, but no! Diet Coke it is – the bottle comes complete with a silhouette of the boy prince of fashion himself, and a fabulous pink top.

I would without question suck it up, purchase a Lagerfeld DC and chug it in the name of adoration, but alas the holy grail of carbonated beverages is only available at trendy Parisian boutique Collette. A single bottle runs for 3.5 euros ($4.71), but true enthusiasts can buy a case (it comes with a bottle opener!) for a mere 60 euros ($80.81).

I wonder what shipping would be…

Because wordpress is winning its battle to irritate me beyond belief, I still cannot upload pictures…therefore I cannot easily display for you these glorious coke bottles. But please check them out here – faaabulous!

Here’s a fun little game to get you through the last hours of a working Monday…

Kanye West. Karl Lagerfeld. Two people in the public eye, seemingly worlds apart. Quite literally as well as personality wise. However! Play this little game of “who said it: Kanye or Karl?” and you’ll be surprised how much the discreet designer and over-the-top musician have in common!

Click here to play! Good luck…I got 7/10

I have many goals in life. Be fantastically fabulous, even at 89. Hit the point when I buy wine based on actual taste and not pretty labels or Harris Teeter discounts. Make a positive impression on everyone I meet. Own an American Express Black Card. Attend a Chanel show at Paris Fashion Week and have Karl Lagerfeld whisk me away on a personal tour of his leather glove collection.

A girl can dream! Sadly the closest I can get to couture Chanel at this moment in time is via style.com’s coverage of the 2010 runway shows in Paris this week. Maybe I’m biased – because leggy Chanel models could strut down the catwalk wearing Mardi Gras beads and tutus and I would rave about it – but Lagerfeld showed why he’s the Prince of Fashion this morning at the Chanel show.

There was a barn in the springtime feel, complete with models accessorized with wheat ears in their hair, but it never even got close to kitschy. The trademark nubby tweed suit skirts were shortened, ruffles added volume to the shoulders, and a mixture of delicate lace and sheer fabrics gave it just enough of a modern touch. The colors were basic (blacks, creams, taupes) but every now and then there was the farmland poppy pattern.

My favorite were the circle skirt cocktail dresses. I must have one (another thing to add to my life goals list…). The only thing I was not so crazy about were the shoes…I’m just not ready for a return of the wooden platform clogs – especially not with lace up ribbons.

What an absolute fashion inspiration the House of Chanel always is! And if I’m really lucky, maybe I’ll get the ridiculous tour of the Coco Chanel apartment like Rachel Zoe did last night. I’d like to wear Coco’s sunglasses, too! Some of the genius would just have to rub off on me…