• 
• 

Published on February 2, 2008

Models took to the runway on Thursday for the launch of the first Emporium World Fashion Showcase 2008, which brings international designers and their spring-summer collections direct from Paris and Milan to Thailand.

After the afternoon symposium on Chanel held the same day, a fashion crowd made up of socialites, designers and fashion students started gathering at the Thailand Creative and Design Centre from 7pm, enthusiastic to witness Karl Lagerfeld's effort to maintain the legendary brand's position.

Opening show "Nuits d'Ete" ("Summer Nights") started abruptly with a svelte Metinee "Lukked" Kingpayom sashaying down in a short Coco Chanel-style haircut and black tweed jacket.

The dazzling glamour of Lukked gave way to outfits dominated by smart blue jeans with everything from jackets to trenches. Mixed in was a parade of star prints and striped tweed jackets, trademark Chanel designs.

Then came a couple of fluid beige dresses followed by outfits in the denim that Lagerfeld says was adapted from rough, working men's clothes. These included jackets and even sexy undergarments. The defining moment came with the entrance of the infamous Chanel bag that's worn around the ankle. Rumours have it that it was actually modelled on the alcohol detection devices celebrities in rehab have to wear in LA. Lagerfeld used a more elegant explanation in the press release, illustrating how reaching down for a lipstick from one of these ankle bags could become a beautiful gesture.

But despite the odd surprise, the overall impression from the catwalk was of a designer continuing the brand's recent traditions twinning tweed with a sporty yet feminine look.

The Nation