Spring2011 Haute Couture Collection: Chanel

"I was sick of all those Eiffel Towers, sick of all those violent colors", so says Karl Lagerfeld explaining the direction he chose when creating his collection. With Stella Tennant opening the show and Kristen McMenamy closing, Mr. Lagerfeld showed pieces that were light and airy, sweet and youthful; choosing ballet flats over sky-high heels. His inspiration was a painting of Coco Chanel by the artist Marie Laurencin. The end result wasn't to Miss Chanel's liking, she rejected it, but it suited Mr. Lagerfeld just fine.