Chanel at Harrods (London, UK)

Anyone who's spent the last two weeks in London, might have caught the Chanel takeover at Harrods, which saw the luxury label occupy the department store's front facing windows, as well as over 20,000 sq ft of retail space. If you missed the extravaganza, fear not, because I'm finally posting a recap of this installation here.

Part of the Chanel windows at Harrods.

The first part of the collaboration consisted of some very elaborate windows, which brought Chanel's FW11/12 collection to life. The forest fairytale theme came complete with an army of woodland animals (all taxidermy and thus very real) and iconic Chanel bling housed in smaller display units. All of this would have probably been best viewed at night, but hopefully you'll get the idea from the images below.

A small selection of the Chanel windows. All animals featured in the windows died of natural causes.

The fun continued inside, where parts of the ground floor were transformed into a Chanel pop-up boutique, where the magical forest theme continued. In addition to the regular treasures, such as the 2.55 bags, perfumes and jewelry, shoppers also had a chance to buy exclusive cosmetic items and the special edition green shopping bag.

Mannequins in the magical forest (left) and some very coveted trinkets (right).

The second part of the pop-up focused on bags and perfume.

The iconic lion's head adorned all the walls (left) and the famous Harrods bag interpreted by Chanel (right).

The most impressive part of the event however, was the third-floor installation Une Promenade - "a contemporary excursion into the enchanted world of Chanel". Like Alice stepping through the looking glass, visitors could explore the universe of Coco and Karl in an almost surreal setting.

Passing through a curtain of giant pearl strands, I found myself in a camellia garden adorned with various Chanel items, including rubber wellies near the grass and high-end jewelry in glass cases.

The next room saw me literally step into a 2.55 bag, where the walls were lined with supple red leather and a wall of videos showed each step of the creative process involved in crafting the purses.

By contrast, the children's bedroom was whimsical and bright, filled with toys that included the famed Harrods teddy bear - decked out in Chanel of course.

The adjoining Haute Couture room was a reconstruction of Coco's apartment on 31 rue Cambon and came complete with giant dress boxes, mirrored walls and mannequins wearing the exquisite gowns.

Entering the world of Karl Lagerfeld, I was greeted by his Studio 7L (which is also a book store in Paris)... and a cut-out Karl.

For a dose of pop-art, the next space dedicated to the iconic No.5 perfume included art work and a giant bottle with an interior screen displaying some of the more memorable TV commercials.

Ever thought the 2.55 bag could be a tad bigger? The next installation featured a larger-than-life quilted bag, embellished with famous Chanel symbols and a jacket to match.

Finally, the tweed room was dedicated to Chanel's jacket fabric of choice, which lined the walls and floor of the area. The wall art featured chalk sketches of the current jacket models.

While the Chanel special is no longer on, you can of course still shop the luxury label at Harrods and various other stores around the world. But the question remains... what will they do with the giant quilted bag and all the cute Chanel dolls? I'll have to find out...

Rakel Hafberg (Reykjavik, Iceland)

A few months ago during my Reykjavik trip, I came across a store window that displayed some of the most intriguing exotic leather accessories. I couldn't quite figure out what I was looking at - it definitely wasn't crocodile, ostrich or snakeskin. And the pattern of the material was rather unique as well. Would you be able to guess what the collars and cuffs (below) are made of?

A selection from the current lookbook (source: Rakel Hafberg).

Upon entering the boutique and on closer inspection, I had a sneaking suspicion, which was confirmed by the helpful shop owner who turned out to be the actual designer, Rakel Hafberg: Most of the bags and jewelry are in fact made of chicken leather. And if you thought the cuffs, collars, belts and capes had a unique shape, that's because these items in particular are actually made from the skin of chicken feet. Rakel explained that the idea actually came from her husband, and while she wasn't initially sure about using this particular leather, it seemed like a good option considering chicken skin ends up as discarded waste material. After experimenting with the production, she was pleased enough to use the chicken leather as the main material for most of her accessories, which also include beautiful tote bags.

Bags, jewelry and headpieces - all made of chicken leather.

Intricate collars and chokers made of chicken feet leather.

Most people (including myself) may have considered chicken skin a wonderful thing when served crispy along with its meat on a dinner plate - but the idea of toting it around as an accessory may sound a little creepy. Rakel herself admitted to me that chicken feet leather in particular might not appeal to most... initially. I for one never thought it would be something I'd want to wrap around my neck. Yet surprisingly the pieces bear only a mild resemblance to the original source and everything is beautifully crafted. The bags look like regular exotic skin material with a soft and supple finishing that features a striking design of diagonal panels. Best of all, being deemed as waste, chicken leather is a lot more sustainable than other materials out there.

An entire shelf filled with pieces made of chicken feet leather.

For the squeamish, there's also a range of hairbands made of feathers.

More accessories, along with colorful paintings which are available for sale.

If chicken leather still doesn't strike your fancy, there's plenty more to choose from. Rakel's boutique is a treasure trove of other gems that includes clothing and a large range of other jewelry items. With a colorful backdrop provided by the floral wallpaper, most pieces are either displayed along the walls like pieces of art (along with actual paintings that are for sale) or neatly arranged on shelves. Other favorites included laser-cut butterfly necklaces and beaded baubles made of hand painted tagua nuts. While chicken leather could once again be found on hairbands, there were also a few feathered varieties to choose from.

Some of the clothing on display.

Overview of the quaint boutique and the changing room.

More 'traditional' jewelry made of tagua nuts and laser-cut leather.

I have to admit that I was so distracted by the wonders of chicken leather, I hardly paid attention to the clothing. I remembered seeing a few silk tops and gorgeous slouchy jackets, all of which complemented the statement accessories perfectly. Because Rakel herself oversees the small boutique, you do get a sense that everything is handpicked and individual. The setting is intimate and immediately welcoming. If you ever find yourself in Reykjavik, definitely drop by if you get the chance. A select range can also be purchased online and for any other info, you can always check out Rakel Hafberg's Facebook page or send her an email.

More cuffs, chokers and belts - some also made with fur.

Cute chicken leather clutches and more beaded jewelry.

Another look at some of the items on display, including more handbags and simple slouchy clothes.

Address: Laugavegur 37, 101 Reykjavik

Opening Hrs: Mon-Fri: 10:00-18:00, Sat: 11:00-16:00

Rakel Hafberg Homepage & Online-Shop

The Kooples (Paris, France)

If you've visited Paris in the last few years - or London in more recent months - chances are you'll have seen quite a few boutiques belonging to The Kooples. And even if you missed them, you've probably seen the fairly prominent ad campaign featuring real life couples, posing in very chic clothes. The Kooples (a spin on how 'couples' is pronounced in French), is a bit of a phenomenon that started in Paris and is currently sweeping the UK. The label was founded by the Elisha brothers (Alexander, Laurent and Raphael), who are also responsible for the successful Comptoir des Cotonniers - a brand known for highlighting a different relationship: their ads feature real life mothers and daughters.

Real life couples posing for the FW10 campaign.

The current SS11 ad campaign.

The Kooples concept is based on the idea that people in relationships frequently borrow each other's clothes. And since it's usually the women who steal their boyfriends' shirts, blazers or accessories, it's not surprising that the majority of the collection is slightly more masculine and androgynous than girly. While I was initially told that the clothes were 'unisex', there are two distinct collections for men and women which are meant to complement each other. The line focuses on perfectly tailored clothes with a rock vibe. Most of the buttons, embroidery or jewelry feature the signature skull logo, which give classic blazers and military coats a bit of an edge.

Overview of a typical boutique (top). His & hers blazers featuring a skull emblem (bottom).

Items on display range from basic to feminine and lacy.

The first time I entered one of the Parisian boutiques, I was instantly addicted. I'll start off by mentioning that the prices aren't the lowest, but the quality and tailoring of the garments are superior to what you'll find in most high street stores. The monochromatic color scheme of the shops is identical in each location, and decor is kept to a minimum. The only notable elements are the campaign posters on the walls and a classic couch near the changing rooms. The staff is generally quite knowledgeable and if you end up in one of the new London flagships, you'll note that most of them are French as well.

The signature skull logo on a cardigan (left), and on bow ties & cuff links (right).

Some of the best pieces include blazers, such as the velvet version (left) or the light summer one (right).

It's worth mentioning that the accessories and shoes are just as coveted. Usually adorned with mini skulls, they're a good alternative if you're not in the market for another blazer. Delicate lace and silks are often used for dresses, skirts and shorts, and provide a more feminine style if you're worried about looking too much like your other half. This is probably the kind of label hipsters will flock to, but thankfully the selection is versatile enough to be combined with anything you might already have in your closet.

Another look for the gents (left).

Shorts, shorts and more shorts.

If you're in the UK and Ireland, the good news is that The Kooples are rapidly expanding, but I'm guessing that other countries will follow soon. In Paris, there are several boutiques in every arrondissement, so you'll be spoiled for choice. If you're in France or Great Britain though, you can always take advantage of the very tempting online store - filled with items that are very hard to resist.

Changing rooms (left) and a skull buckle belt (right).

More beautiful lace.

Address: various locations throughout France, UK & Ireland.
Opening Hrs: Mon: 11:00-19:00, Tue-Fri: 10:30-19:30, Sat: 10:30-20:00
The Kooples Homepage France / Great Britain

Window Shopping at Prada (London, UK / Paris, France)

This is just a quick post, but hopefully it should provide enough eye candy to brighten your day. And one can rarely go wrong when it comes to Prada. Whenever I pass the brand's flagship on Bond Street, I always find myself snapping a photo or two, so I thought I'd share some of the images I've taken so far.

Sporty chic during SS10.

Staying cool in minimalist white (SS11).

Beautiful display featuring a few bags and the baroque sunglasses.

Traveling in style.

Going bold red in the most recent display.

Strangely, I always failed to do the same in Paris, where the boutique windows were always dominated by an army of mannequins. Many people I know find them creepy - and the fun usually continues inside...

Taken in SS11, Prada Paris. The New York and Milan boutiques feature even more mannequins.

It seems to be a Prada thing to apply so much of the visual merchandising within the retail space as well - something you usually only see in department stores. What are your thoughts: the more the merrier or mannequin overload?

For more window shopping and boutique hopping, you can now also find me on Twitter.