Ines de la Fressange

Chanel front rows and party lines, especially over the past few years, always draw an elite group of Chanel-clad ladies who might collectively be referred to as “it girls.” Actresses, models, socialites and DJs make up this group but what they all seem to have in common is beauty, great style and some kind of cultural relevance that Karl or someone at Chanel recognizes as fitting with the Chanel brand. That and the ability to look amazing in Chanel and always catch our attention.

About two years ago, Chanel threw a dinner party and announced an “official list” of five Chanel ambassadors: Leigh Lezark, Jen Brill, Poppy Delevingne, Vanessa Traina, and Caroline Sieber. Others, like Elisa Sednaoui and, back in the day, Ines de la Fressange, have been casually referred to as Karl’s muses.

But, there are still others, like Rachel Bilson, Alexa Chung and newest and youngest member Elle Fanning (!), whose “roles” in the Chanel world were undefined, until now. A tip sheet for last night’s Chanel couture show, revealed by the Telegraph’s Belinda White, literally places bold names expected to attend into a carefully ranked multi-tier system. The categories range from “Japanese celebrities” to “Chanel Ambassadress.” Here they are in what I’m guessing is ascending order.

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Best Dressed

Best Dressed: Cannes Film Festival, Day One

Thursday, May 12, 2011 / 8:47 AM

At the opening ceremony for the 64th annual Cannes Film Festival yesterday, stars turned out in high drama floor length finery. Rachel McAdams looked stunning in red and sheer Marchesa, so we forgive her that hat, and Uma Thurman (where has she been lately?) was gorgeous in a slightly altered white hot fall 2011 Versace. Cannes is all about glamor, something Fan Bing Bing obviously knows a thing or two about, and Salma Hayek and Karolina Kurkova brought the glitz, too, in shimmering gowns from Gucci Premiere and Armani Prive respectively. Ines de la Fressange looked the paragon of Parisian chic in Carven and Diane Kruger looked stunning, comme d’hab.

If this is the way Cannes is kicking off we can’t wait to see what else comes down the red carpet as the festival unfolds…

**All Photos: Getty

Elle Denmark Likes Their Covergirls to Have Really Really Long Necks: Apparently homegirl on the right didn’t have a long enough neck. Don’t worry! Photoshop solves all physical imperfections. {The Gloss}

Naomi Campbell Opens a Pop-Up Shop for Charity: Naomi Campbell and her charity, Fashion for Relief, opened a pop-up shop in London stocked with gowns donated by designers like Givenchy, Christopher Kane, Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham and Vivienne Westwood, with proceeds to benefit the Prince’s Trust charity–a charity that supports 14-30 year olds with practical and financial support to stay on track. In an interview with the soon-to-be-retired Hilary Alexander, Campbell says she’d love to open a permanent Fashion for Relief shop. {Telegraph}

Rumi Neely and Her Boyfriend Make a Noir Video: For Ralph Lauren Big Pony cologne. {Fashion Toast}

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In the ’80s Inès de la Fressange reigned as the most super of the supermodels. Muse to Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel throughout the decade (until the two had a falling out in 1989) she was, according to the WSJ, the first model to sign an exclusive modeling contract with the house, and later went on to serve as the model for Marianne, the symbol of France.

Today, at 53, de la Fressange is back. She signed on as the brand ambassador for Roger Vivier when the label was revived eight years ago after being acquired by Diego Della Valle and Tod’s group, marked the end of her feud with Lagerfeld by walking at the Chanel spring 2011 show, and just yesterday it was announced that she is the new face of L’Oreal Paris. “I believe in the slogan ‘Because we’re worth it!’” she said in a statement for L’Oreal, “I love those words, which are still perfectly relevant today.”

We got the chance to talk with the legendary model over Paris Fashion Week at Roger Vivier’s presentation about her work for Vivier, her thoughts on the state of fashion and luxury today, her reaction to Galliano’s ousting from Dior, and why she doesn’t like to go to runway shows.

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Bloggers Heart Pink Pony: It’s officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it also happens to be the 10th Anniversary of Ralph Lauren’s Pink Pony foundation. In honor of these occasions, 100 fashion bloggers were enlisted to help spread awareness by modeling the latest Pink Pony polo, including our very own Lauren Sherman (# 66)! {Style List}

Chanel Brings Back the ’80s: Not through the Spring collection (we don’t think), but through Inès de la Fressange, the face of Chanel in the ’80s. Inès, now 52, will walk the runway show in Paris on Tuesday. She’s also booked to appear in Chanel’s next campaign alongside the aughts’ Freja Beha Erichsen and the ’90s’ Stella Tennant. {WWD subscription required}

Style.com’s Very Real Reality Show: We were right and now it’s confirmed, and with more details. Sounds like this reality show will have very little in common with The City, in a very good way. {NY Daily News}

Yoox Loves Jil Sander: Yoox.com is holding an exclusive event starting today where registered users only will receive an additional 20% off + free shipping on a selection of already reduced Jil Sander items. But hurry, it only lasts 48 hours! {Yoox}

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Color Us Happy: The first look at Balenciaga’s Jennifer Connelly-less SS10 campaign. We vote yes. You? {Women} An Original Muse: Ines de la Fressange granted an interview to a British paper last week and took the opportunity to set the record straight regarding just how many hours she spends in front of her closet. Also [...]

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photo courtesy The SartorialistA Friend In Need: Which is better? Adrien Grenier on the Sartorialist? Or Adrien Grenier labeled ‘Friend’? Either way, the combination of that face and Scott’s camera is fantastic. {Sartorialist} Teenage Wasteland: We would have paid so very much money to witness one Madonna’s early (as in childhood) performances of “Baba O’Riley”, [...]

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Ines de la Fressange carries this lettered black Roger Vivier bag everywhere. We thought it was custom made, after all she’s Bruno Frisoni’s muse and Vivier’s brand ambassador. And technically it is custom made. The catch is, you have to design it yourself because according to de la Fressange, “Real luxury is a unique item [...]

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