Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2011: Midnight in Paris

Perhaps those rumors about Blake Lively being too cool for the front row will start again since she was MIA at the Chanel Haute Couture runway last night, but who cares about celebrities even the stunning Diane Kruger and the adorable, yet extremely tall Elle Fanning when there were light up shoes, the light of the moon and a collection entitled Les Allures de Chanel. Karl proved his prowess with some serious showmanship once again by bringing the drama, this time in the way of a recreation of the Place Vendme, swapping the statue of Napoleon Bonaparte for one of Coco Chanel, bien sur.

With past seasons showcasing barns, icebergs and volcanoes, the centerpiece of a Parisian landmark was decidedly urbane and made it clear this collection was all for Coco from her signature tweedy suites, to the 20s silhouettes she pioneered and the moody, dramatic blacks and greys that dominated the collection. With black lace shaded eyes, demure pops of pink, the return of those seductive peplum skirts, dramatic long coats and sultry lace dresses the mood could have been captured at midnight in Paris, or 10PM as it were.