District L

Before the summer began, we vowed to seek out and descend upon as many photobooth bars we could find. Now that we’ve accumulated a Chanel FW11-sized collection of glossy strips, it’s about time we shared our list of narcissist-enabling drinking establishments:

The Tippler - 425 West 15th St: Serious cocktails and 4x6-style photos.

Niagara - 112 Ave A at St. Marks Pl: Stop in before heading to Cabin Down Below.

The Smith - 55 Third Ave: Just left of the infamous pornographic peep-show.

The Standard Hotel - 848 Washington St: The only time you should ever take pictures in a bathroom.

Brooklyneer - 220 W Houston St: Unlike most places in actual Brooklyn, this photobooth takes credit cards.

Bleecker Street Bar - 56-58 Bleecker Street: A dive bar with cheap drinks and a hi-tech booth.

Gallery Bar - 120 Orchard St: Lower East-packing District, so only stop by on a weeknight.

Bubby’s - 120 Hudson St: A black-and-white booth is located in the basement of this 24-hour restaurant.

M1-5 - 52 Walker St: Walk in. Head straight to the photobooth. Leave immediately.

Westway - 75 Clarkson St: For the most patient narcissist. This booth takes about 5 minutes to spit out your photos.

Karl Lagerfeld has a penchant for scandal – ‘hate’ lists, prostitute photography... and of course, his infamous posse. From 2006-2007, Karl appointed Lindsay Lohan to accompany him at almost every noteworthy event. Then, in the midst of their Beatrice heyday, the Olsens were frequently spotted on Lagerfeld’s arm. Blake Lively was the most recent face of Chanel, but it seems that Karl has already grown tired of the tame Gossip Girl.

Alice Dellal, British model/socialite/heiress, was picked by Karl Lagerfeld to be the face for Chanel’s latest handbag line, “Boy.” In addition to Chanel’s newly-published print ads, Alice also appeared in Karl’s fashion short, “My New Friend Boy,” which was released last month.

Post by Amanda LaMela

We don't know what Andre Leon Talley and Joe Zee's job descriptions are either, but if we could guess, the help-wanted listing probably included playing tennis in head-to-toe Louis Vuitton, shouting on TV, and traipsing around Manhattan in a Chanel gorilla costume.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Democracy killed the party. The fashion party. Suddenly everyone knows what's going on behind closed doors, Ines de la Fressange can't light up halfway down the catwalk anymore, and the other models can't make moo-moo faces at the camera mid-twirl.

Shit.

and what a better way to celebrate our first anniversary than with this amazing clip of Chanel's A/W 1994 runway show...in Serbian. It makes no sense, it's beautiful, it's tacky, it's 90's, and it's strangely current! Imagine that! Look at all that fur...

Here's to another year of singing, extolling, decrying, and lamenting the fashion industry while simultaneously finding every chink in it's armor and lambasting the shit out of it.

...but Versace isn't the only company experiencing a management overhaul. Several other notable designers and retailers seem to have jumped onto the spring cleaning bandwagon and made big changes.

Barbara Menarguz was named Senior Vice President and CFO of Chanel yesterday.

Ken Downing, Senior Vice President and Fashion Director for Neiman Marcus, is now overseeing their consolidated fashion office.

Roopal Patel will become women's fashion accessory senior market editor at Neiman Marcus Inc. She was formerly senior fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman.

Lisa Montague, who was the chief operating officer at Mulberry, has resigned. Her duties will be absorbed by Godfrey Davis, Mulberry's chief executive and chairman.

Fortunately, the long-term plan at District L dictates that it shall remain under the same management until the apocalypse. Whenever that decides to roll around.

Karl Lagerfeld is known to be one of fashion's most irreverent characters- the economy certainly is no match for his soulless stare and bottomless budget.

So that's why Lagerfeld, in suit with his previous resort shows (poolside? planeside? anyone?), pulled out all the stops and staged a 1930's style cane furniture-and-cabana runway show on the shores of the Lido in Venice, a favorite vacation spot for Coco.

So far did KL go to make sure the show was absolutely perfect, he had 10 tons of sand flown in to completely level out his chosen stretch of beach.

As for the runway itself, it was a perfect synthesis of classically nautical with a gilded Venetian accent. After a stunning opener of chic black bathing suits flanked by dramatic black capes and tricorn hats, the showing was a smooth transition from broad sailor stripes paired with high waisted trousers, cropped navy blazers, and flowing ankle skirts to crisp evening wear in black and gold with gilded rococo motifs. Sheer overlays in lace and chiffon seemed to abound as well, as well as tweed, which will make the transition from Fall/Winter to Resort a seamless one for any devoted Chanelossieur.

...and it's latest recipient was Amelie star Audrey Tautou, who will be portraying Coco Chanel in the upcoming film Coco Avant Chanel.

After meeting with the film's director, Anne Fontaine, Karl proclaimed that Tautou was the 'only true Chanel'.

"Her celebrity is all the more exceptional at the beginning of the 20th Century as Chanel had to fight against conventions that were very paralyzing for women...this film describes the destiny of a woman; it is not only for haute couture lovers. Chanel was born with an understanding of life and women that was totally ahead of her time," Tautou weighed in on the importance of her role.

One look at her, with her gaminesque features and air of undeniably french je ne sais quoi, and we have no choice but to agree.

"In these times, it is nice to be reminded that the essence of couture is the pure joy of craftsmanship wedded to creativity"- Sally Singer, VOGUE, on the white paper headdresses in the Chanel S/S 2009 RTW.