SFBayStyle: Celebrating the New Look of CHANEL

San Francisco's Maiden Lane was ablaze with activity last Thursday evening November 19th, when several hundred devotees of CHANEL turned out to celebrate the boutique's reopening. A destination store on the Lane since 1988, CHANEL relocated earlier this year while the original boutique was completely redesigned.

The redesign was headed by New York architect and long time CHANEL collaborator Peter Marino. Sleek and tres moderne, the new boutique is a spacious two stories, highlighted by a 25-foot glass wall lining the stairs to the second floor. The wall is created from black metal and glass and backed with sheer gold laser cut fabric. Suspended from the wall are white lacquer shelves showcasing must-have handbags, shoes, and costume jewelry. To provide a bit of respite and comfort for shoppers, each floor has lovely tweed slipper chairs and sofas. The new space is both elegant and classic, with much attention paid to nuance and detail, offering customers a distinctively CHANEL experience.

The crowd arrived at the Geary street entrance, perused the two story boutique and then continued the festivities on Maiden Lane in a large and fabulously decorated tent. Perched on white patent leatherette booths and black chairs, guests enjoyed cocktails and tunes provided by the Misshaps. Against one side of the tent were displayed CHANEL Fall-Winter 2009/2010 couture pieces direct form Paris.

This much anticipated occasion was hosted by Samantha Traina and Vanessa Getty and brought out San Francisco's glitterati, many giving a nod to Madame Chanel sporting LBDs of all varieties and long strands of pearls. Classic CHANEL tweed jackets were a fave along with black and white motif and dress suits. Famed author Danielle Steele donning a white ruff collar (a la Coco Chanel circa 1937) was spotted trying on shoes. Stylist Karen Tamblyn went with a simple strapless white dress and statement necklace. Jennifer Siebel Newsom chose a lovely beige and black dress.

Now it's your turn. Stop by the boutique and experience CHANEL's new look for yourself, 155 Maiden Lane, downtown San Francisco.

Danielle Steel, Samantha Traina, John Traina.