Sunday, January 29, 2012

{recap} KARL for Net-a-Porter Launch + The Chanel Debacle


This is a few days overdue but here it is, FINALLY, my recap of the launch of KARL by Karl Lagerfeld for Net-a-Porter! This post will be in the form of a very LONG diary of my day/review of the collection.  I was specifically invited to the event, by the lovely folks at Net-a-Porter, but it was an open event so anyone could go. My day started SUPER early, I got up at 6am & caught an 8:15 train where I met up with Lydia!  We talked about craziness on our ride into the city and had to hail a cab. Thankfully for us there was one just sitting there waiting so we didn't have to try really hard (we both STINK at catching cabs.)  We got to the event about 45 minutes early & the line wasn't too long, yet.  Then began our long wait for the fun to begin! There was a guy & his girlfriend ahead of us (he worked at Chanel) and he kept complaining about how tacky & dumb the event was and "Chanel would never do something like this"...I wanted to punch him!
As it got closer to 10:30 the staff started walking around asking if we had downloaded the KARL app yet so we could shop and win once the event began! They also handed out gift bags to the first people in line. We all got bags and "Karl Addict" tshirts and then everyone got another special item. I got the famous Karl Lagerfeld gloves ($65) and Lydia got an amazing sequin collar ($175.)
At 10:30 they removed a cloth banner covering the window to reveal 3 of the outfits from the collection and this is where the fun began!  They let us through in groups and we used our iPhones and iPads (they also supplied them) to scan the outfits and try to win pieces from the collection! So many girls around Lydia and I were winning but luck just wasn't on our side.  Then we proceeded inside the building where there were more outfits to scan as well as a fun coffee stand so you could get a drink in a fun Karl Lagerfeld cup.  After scanning for a while and not winning we gave up and decided to head out for some NYC fun. Some of the girls who worked for Net-a-Porter actually remembered me from the Affiliate Tea in July, so that was nice!
To finish up with the Karl part of the day, here are some of my favorite pieces in the collection, I tried to win some of them at the Window Shop, but sadly I only left with my bag, tshirt and gloves.  The collection is full of some amazing statement pieces that are also pretty basic. For example all of the sequin pieces, if you wore them all at once you would look like a crazy person, but wear the jacket with simple jeans and pumps and it is perfection! I love the edgyness and that it is only 3 colors: black, white and grey/silver. Click to view product pages.
[I should have bought the Burgundy dress...maybe if it comes back in stock...]
After the event we went to take our outfit photos (and we stupidly though "oh, we'll do our crossing the street photos later" and never did them...poo!) then walked for a bit and found an adorable cafe in the West Village called Doma where we went for lunch! I got DELICIOUS French Toast with sliced fruit and Lydia got an icky goat cheese salad thing ;) After we were fed and watered we headed out to do what any fashion bloggers would do in the city: SHOP!  Our first stop was Second Time Around, where I got the blazer I posted on Thursday.  Then we also stopped at Loehman's, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Zara and H&M before we were too pooped to walk and  had to head home.
The lovely Lydia (all photographs in this post, except the second one, are by her)
Sandals: Miu Miu eBay, Blazer: Moschino Cheap & Chic eBay $27, Jeans: Free People (Gilt Groupe) gift card, Purse: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop), Watch: Michael Kors, Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop) gift card, Coat: TJ Maxx gift ($40)
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Here is the story I promised on Thursday (this is very long winded and ends badly, so you don't have to read it.) As some of you may know, I have been saving up for a Chanel bag since I started my job, I will FINALLY have enough once my tax return comes through but Chanel is raising their prices by 500-600 dollars on February 1st (YUCK!) so I was hoping to find one in the city.  But as timing would have it, Rue La La was having a Chanel sale on Wednesday at 11am (aka right in the middle of the Karl event.) So at 11 I went to the app on my iPhone & tried to find a suitable purse. I found the perfect one: a vintage Jumbo Black Classic Flap in Caviar for $3,999, which is $1000 cheaper than the current purses ($1600 cheaper than they will be in a few days).

After agonizing and bugging Lydia about it for a few minutes I finally pressed "Buy It" but my credit card wouldn't work!! That's probably because I've never spent that much money in one transaction...EVER...so it thought my card was stolen. I couldn't call the company to let them know because I was in the middle of a crowded room, so I tried another card, still no go...and then the bag was gone! I was SO depressed.  My Chanel dreams were crushed and I gave up hope on ever getting my most coveted item.
[After we left the event I had to call my credit card company, but at least I got a good shot out of it that you saw above ;) Props to Lydia for taking advantage of my misfortune and turning it into an awesome picture!]

But when we were in Loehman's, Lydia pointed out a $16,000 Hermes bag and we drooled over it, I slowly looked up and there it was...a gorgeous dark purple (my favorite color) Chanel, on sale for $2800, so we asked if I could see it. As I held the purse I died a bit inside...SO soft, so amazing, but it wasn't a classic flap so I passed. Once again I was so close and had it ripped from my hands! VERY depressing. I just have to hope that a sample sale site will have another Chanel sale soon (doubtful). 
It was like this but fully quilted like the classic flap
Here's hoping that I get amazingly lucky and find my perfect Chanel for under $4000....highly unlikely. (I want black, purple or dark burgundy...black would be ideal but those are hard to come by in Classic Flaps)

All photos © to Lydia!! [except the Chanel bags and goodie bag shot]

48 comments:

  1. Wow awesome post! I really like all those pictures!

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  2. That sucks about the bag! But it still looks like a fun day.

    Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

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  4. I wish you would have found the Chanel bag you wanted!!
    And I love these photos of you, so pretty!! And I am so jealous you got to
    attend this event, I'm sure you had a fab time!!

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  5. I was talking to a guy that works for net a porter last night and he was saying that they got something like 200 thousand visits in 48h and that everything collapsed and sold out so quick!!

    xXx

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  6. Great blog.
    I love this post, girl.
    xo.
    http://www.fromhatstoheels.blogspot.com/

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  7. Love Karl Lagerfield's funky design.

    Those leopard heels are fantastic! You wear them so well.

    www.thegirlieblog.com

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  8. genial blog!!!!! sandrafreckled.blogspot.com

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  9. amazing event! you both look seriously gorgeous :) i can't wait to see those gloves in action! xo


    http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/

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  10. I saw it on NAP, not huge on karl but I LOVED the collar and the sequined shorts!


    Thanks for the comment
    XXASAB
    New post: First designs of 2012

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  11. Hey, my goat cheese was AWESOME.
    And I didn't even realize that collar was so much money. That is nuts. I would have loved to have won the sequined jacket though. I tired so many damn times!

    Chic on the Cheap

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  12. your shoes are gorgeous!! and it loos like a fun event!

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  13. Sorry you didn't get the bag, but I know you'll get the one you want! Love your polished outfit, you look so cute in those Miu Miu heels! The event sounds fun and very interactive, enjoy your new items!

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  14. Wow, love Karl! His styling is so edgy and rocker chic!

    xo
    http://hautecouture3.blogspot.com

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  15. Such a great recap- I loved reading about the event! Also, that sequin blazer is sooo awesome, love it!

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  16. Nice post.
    Do not miss Capri Sunset and new Chantecler collection. Visit my blog
    Frances www.theafternoontea.it

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  17. One day, one day I will have that Chanel bag.

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  18. You look amazing...Gr8 blog :)....Wanna follow each other with GFC, Twitter and Facebook ?

    ♡ StylishByNature.com

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  19. you look amazing! the event sounded really fin and nice

    Lyosha
    Inside and Outside Blog

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  20. Despite the loss of a beautiful purse - you do look absolutely gorgeous, and I'm so glad you had a great time at the Karl by KL launch!
    ZOMG Sand thru fingers! I am SO sorry about your Chanel mishap. I had no idea they are raising their prices yet again - it seems I will never get a classic flap bag at the rate of those increases either! I have my fingers crossed for you girl! Have you checked out Madison Ave Couture at all?

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  21. LOVE your leopard print pumps!! & those sequin shorts from Karl! The event sounded so exciting!! :)

    From Brooklyn with love,

    Jen

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  22. It sounds like a fun event. You'll find your perfect bag soon.

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  23. I saw some Karl pieces at Macy's this past weekend. They look pretty cool. I like the edginess.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  24. I DREAM of owning a Chanel quilted black bag but over $1,000 for a bag is DEF not in my price range lol. I love those shoes and glitter shorts. Also loving your leopard print shoes!

    http://fashionistanygirl.blogspot.com/

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  25. I'm so glad you went - it sounds like so much fun & how great to go with a blogging buddy!

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  26. great post! i love the photoshoot... and i love the vest!
    xo
    MosaMuse

    MosaMuse.blogspot.com

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  27. sounds like such a cool time! and total bummer about the bag!

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  28. Glad you had such a great day out and I have to say, those sandals look divine on you.

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  29. Ahhh great photos! And it looks like you girls had so much fun : )

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  30. I hate snobby fashion people, I vow to never be that way. The event sounds really cool and even though you didnt win you got awesome stuff in your goodie bag. I am in shock that those amazing Miu Miu sandals are from ebay, you go girl.

    xoxo
    FAKE EMPIRE
    www.shopfake.com

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  31. I like this collection!!!!!!!!! Super Karl!!!
    Biz
    Angela Donava
    http://www.lookbooks.fr

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  32. Well, at least it looks like you guys were able to get some excellent shots out of the day, despite the bag happening. Love those leopard shoes dear!

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  33. that sounds like it was a blast!! And I am loving the silver shorts and the leather pleated skirt...so fab! x

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  34. Love the sequin shorts and so good to see you and Lydia together. You two could be long-lost sisters! Seriously.

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  35. I am sorry about the Chanel bags. :( Looks like you ladies had a fabulous time though and I love the clothes my Karl. They are all fab!

    http://theclosetintervention.blogspot.com/

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  36. Oh, what fun! It seems like you had a delightful time at the event! I absolutely love those sequin pants, and the booties with the silver buckle detail. They're insane! It looks like a spectacular collection. I absolutely adore your leopard sandals, by the way.

    **kisses**
    Emily

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  37. gorgeous smile hon!!!! so natural!
    love and kisses

    http://glamourillustrations.blogspot.com/

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  38. Oooh I love this!!! Love the leopard heels!!


    xoxo

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  39. What great shoes !!!

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  40. MIU MIU! I WANT YE!!!!!

    Chandra
    http://momomod.com

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  41. That really sucks about the bag.. I know I would have been just as depressed if that happened to me :( Love your coat, it's so gorgeous. And LOVE LOVE your header, it is pretty amazing!

    love from the NaNa girls x

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  42. Loved your post! You are so lucky to have attended the Karl event! The gifts are amazing! So jealous! I'm so sad to hear about the chanel bag! I think that you were right not to take the burgundy one since the black one you wanted in the first placeisjust insane and it worths to wait!

    Many Kisses Honey!
    Out Of The Box

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  43. love the pants and the purse obviously. hope you get one!


    http://underthefluorescents.blogspot.com/

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  44. my favorite John Wind item is the silver square cut crystals cuff, it is gorgeous!

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