The Americana Spirit ... Chanel S/S 2008

Celebrated German fashion designer and the fashion Kaiser, Karl Lagerfeld is paying homage to the American flag and brings back the glamorous age of the fifties in his latest collection for Chanel. Also thrown in are some elements from movies Grease and Summer Nights. In is the low-key look with accessories toned down and out were heavy drama sense of style.

The show, dubbed as Nuits D'Ete or Summer Nights, was held during the Paris Fashion Week and staged at Paris's Grand Palais to a jam-packed audience, showcasing an array of apparels that are sure to convert the younger generation of fashionistas into becoming an ardent fan of the brand.

Actresses Kirsten Dunst, Anna Mouglalis, singer Lily Allen, and our very own celebrity Camelia was there to see the show. A total of 78 ready-to-wear pieces for women and men were displayed and the audiences were so enthralled with the new collection.

Kicking off the show were a lineup of swimming costumes in denim, either in two-piece set or one piece with generous cutouts at strategic places. The pieces are matched with a matching jacket and adorned with button brooches, metallic snakeskin slingbacks with dramatically stacked heels and metallic shoulder bag, petite enough to keep your essentials. Warning - don't ever put the swimsuits on because they are not made to be wet!

Apart from swimsuits, denim appearance is ubiquitous in this latest collection from baggy long pants in faded tone and jacket in posh embroidery work that looks like splats of liquid paper and acrylic red paint, which brings us back the glorious era of the 80's fashion scene. Tweed, one of Chanel's trademark fabric are reinterpreted in a variety of way other than the usual houndstooth print.

There's a jacket with self-tie sash in traditional American checks using the hues of navy blue, red, with some splash of gray and black, and body-fitting dress with short hemline in black-and-white plaid print tweed and bold piping, absolutely Chanel. But the highlight of the collection is the Star-Spangled Banner designs. Red stripes with multitude of stars and intertwined Cs splashed vividly across the milieu of navy blue.

There's a long dress with bow detail on front worn with a cropped jacket in red stripes and short puffed sleeves, collared mini dress with red-and-white stripe tube and metallic belt, plus a working shirt for ladies. Guys, feel the vibe of fourth of July in a red-and-white striped jacket worn over white shirt with perforated Camellia patterns all over it. As usual, it's the evening collection that always gain attention.

Evening wears in lace, sheer organza and chiffon makes the best choice for attending grand functions and private dinners. My pick for the evening collection would be shift dress with layered sleeves and short hemline in black sheer lace, halter neck dress with pleat details on the front and tuxedo-like tail on the back, worn with a pair of white wide pants, and last but not least, shift dress with sheer short puffed sleeves and hems decorated with ribbon details.

Last but not least, Brad Koening looks stunning in multicolor embroidered woolen sweater worn with white pants, and a black leather jacket worn over a white tee with black stripes with a pair of jeans would look amazing to me. Spice it up with a fringed organza neck tie for extra drama effect.

Chanel's Spring/Summer 2008 collection will be in all Chanel boutiques next Spring. Good news for Indonesian Chanel fans, the French fashion house will be opening its first Indonesian flagship at Grand Indonesian Shopping Town this December.

*Photos courtesy of Style.com

Chanel - Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, 50800 Kuala Lumpur.