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Extraordinary Fall 2008 Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Blue Lace & Chiffon Dress & Cape Set

The twin of this amazing set was Look 55 in the Fall 2008 Chanel show. This piece has the extra distinction of being a sample which is rare and hard to get in the Chanel collector's world. The book 'Chanel Catwalk' noted that; 'For this new collection, a large Chanel carousel took centre stage in the Grand Palais, featuring not horses but large-scale figurines of the icons of Chanel style; bows, quilted bags, Coco Chanel's own signature boater hat, strings of pearls, the Chanel jacket and much more. "The basis of Chanel is still very French, we had all the symbols typical of Chanel: the camellia, the buttons, the pearls, the handbag, everything" Lagerfeld explained "but in the show, there was almost nothing just one small handbag, because fashion has to change". Near the end of the show there was a series of beautiful lace dresses and this is one of those. It is an extraordinary little set and I love that we found runway photos and a small video clip for you to see it on the body and moving.

The dress on its own was worn by Emma Roberts that year and then Charlotte Casiraghi wore it to the Chanel show in 2010. On the runway Abby Lee Kershaw was stunning wearing the twin of this set. I love the versatility the two pieces have. The dress on its own is in a beautiful example of Chanel and it is a piece that you can wear for day or cocktails. Then when you add that extraordinary cape over it, it becomes something else entirely. The dress is a slim pencil line cocktail dress made of a deep blue lace. It is sleeveless and has a small V at the top for the neckline. The very upper bodice is unlined so you see a touch of skin through the lace and then the rest of the dress has a nude silk chiffon lining. Flat pleats of the lace are stacked in a chevron pattern all the way down the bust to the waist and then the pattern turns to angle upwards from the hem of the skirt to the waist. There they meet under a silk chiffon band that wraps around the waist. A ruffle of the silk chiffon and lace runs down the centre of the dress and ends in a little chiffon bow. The bottom is finished in a lace ruffle and I love how it comes up a little bit at the front and then the back is a set bit longer and on a pretty curve. At the back the pleats are set flat across so that all of the main detailing is at the front. The cape goes over that and it is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. The cut is simple and is meant to skim over the dress and you. It buttons at the back of the neck and it has a fantastic full high collar that combines the lace and silk chiffon  with gathered detailed and ruffles. Pleats create a high full collar that sits across and on top of your shoulders and then the cape falls sleekly under that to past the hem of the dress. The entire edge of the cape is edged with more silk chiffon, ruffles and lace and it is just magical. When worn together every detail picks up on each other and it is just absolutely fantastic. It closes with handmade buttons at the back and the buttons were their own little homage to the show. There are four in total and each one was made to look like the top of the carousel if you were above it and peering down at the top. Amazing. This is quintessential Lagerfeld and it is one of the most beautiful sets I have ever seen. Excellent condition.

The dress is fully lined in a nude silk chiffon, and it is beautifully constructed. It closes with a back hidden set zipper and then there are hook and eye at the top of the neck. It is tagged a modern Chanel 38. The cape is lined through the upper ruffle only and the body of the cape is unlined. Maybe a touch of grubbiness around the edge of the arm opening. It closes with hook and eye then the four hand made metal carousel buttons at set under that. It is also tagged a modern 38. Both pieces have a Chanel sample tag. The original price of this set was $16700 in 2008 and pieces at this level from the runway would be 25 - 28k now

Dress
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam
Waist: 12.5-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15,5" from neck to waist
Total length: 33" from top of the shoulder to shortest point of the front hem and 39" to the longest point of the back hem

Cape
Neck: 13" around and it is 54" from he neck to the longest point of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4567

Reference Photos/Video: (1-5) Fall 2008 Chanel Look 55, Model Abbey Lee Kershaw.  /  (6-7) Emma Roberts the Premiere of the Curious Case of Benjamin Button December 9, 2008.  /  (8-9) Charlotte Casiraghi Chanel Metiers D'art Show December 7, 2010.

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