Chanel’s Cruise collection modeled by Irina Lazareanu

The UK Times seems to have gotten the scoop behind Chanel’s latest Cruise collection. And I must say the Kasier, Karl Lagerfeld, has taken opulence to an amazing and luxurious new level.

While I could waft on and borrow lines from the Times, I think I’ll let them tell you…

Karl Lagerfeld’s latest homage to the spirit of Coco Chanel celebrates the priceless work of the label’s craftsmen Tina Gaudoin

This year, Lagerfeld chose the theme of Monte Carlo to celebrate his métiers d’art – the craftsmen and women from feather dressers to goldsmiths who make up Chanel’s specialist company called Paraffection, all dedicated to excellence in craft. As if to prove their worth, the craftsmen spent between them 10,000 hours to create 11,000 buttons and 400 items of jewellery, 1,770 hours to create the embroidery and 4,000 hours to create the footwear. Lagerfeld describes the collection as “robust and delicate” using tulle, jersey and duchesse satin to create a romantic, urban theme.

The shots from the campaign were shot on location at Mlle Chanel’s apartment and modeled on Irina Lazareanu (last seen modeling Kate Moss’ Topshop collection).

Check out larger versions of these images at the TimesOnline.co.uk