Lily Allen is the new face of Chanel: Has the iconic label lost its class?

Because they're trying to keep Chanel from getting boring! Lily Allen is definitely an unexpected and unpredictable choice.

I disagree that she's a model. She's a celebrity (God knows why). When you use a model, he/she's supposed to just highlight the products. When you use a celebrity, the person brings his/her own image into the shot. Her image seems to consist of getting drunk in public, saying stunningly stupid stuff to reporters and swearing at inappropriate times, then insisting she's cool because she's "real" and bugger you if you don't like it. (Let's have some fake if that's what real is; yuck) Not my idea of "fun" but I guess Onkel Karl's the one signing the checks, so it's his business.

Im not usually the one to call people out on content, but this article hits me as a bit snobbish. The Hills and Gossip Girl are very fashion forward shows, so it's only blatantly obvious Chanel would pop up. Do you even really know who Lily Allen is? Have you listened to a single song she's written? Heard her position on the fashion world vs. real woman? Sure she's royally messed up, but she's moved on from that, as have the rest of her fans, as well as the gossip mongerers. Your position on her character is completly irrelavent because it's all old news. She's on her way to bettering herself. She's worked very hard to get where she is today and has obviously earned the recognition of Karl Lagerfeld. What amazing things have you ever done, because writing a snarky verging on jealous column doesnt count.

Talented singer and obviously a stunning face for Chanel! This blogger is pretty ridiculous...

Ouch, why would you say that the label lost it's class? I can see that Chanel might want to try to appeal to a younger crowd this way, but I don't think that it would make the label classless. Yes, Lily Allen is an odd choice, but she does have the same eccentric qualities Chanel has developed since Karl Lagerfeld has taken over.

Joanna, I think you need to get a real job. This is just mean.

if you know anything about lily allen, maybe LISTENED to her songs before judging her you would know that she is actually very talented and sings about very controversial issues. her song "f*ck you" is her showing her disliking for closed minded people. she is singing against racists and biggots. and her song "the fear" is about how materialistic society has become.

"her song "the fear" is about how materialistic society has become"

And I'm assuming by singing about it she's disapproving? So she does a spread for Chanel? LOL! Well, money makes the world go round, right?

Okay Im sorry but looking through the pictures of "classy" women Chanel has used in the past and you picked Kate Moss?? To me she is the last in line. She smokes like a chimney, is crack head skinny and has been accused of doing drugs but you say she is classy?? Please! I think Lily Allen looks great in her picture, not that I know who she is exactly but who cares if Chanel is trying to attract a younger crowd good for them! It is still the classy brand its always been just rolling with the times.

I agree with the author. And I also agree that we must change with the times as a means of product survival. But I would not have used Lilly Allen. Maybe a french actress??? Audrey Tautou or Marion Cotillard would be good choices in my opinion.

That's a beautiful photo of Lily Allen. I don't see the author's reasoning behind this article.

the photo of ms. allen is nice , but why her? i'm sure chanel could have chosen someone else, someone with class and beauty i was very happy when they finally chose nicole kidman a few years ago to be the new face of chanel 5. they could have chosen someone such as vanessa williams , she's came a long way from when she was miss america, they could have even chosen hallee berry , naomi watts. i think chanel just could have done a better job picking someone

I have to say I'm a tad surprised that Chanel chose Lily Allen, who is still a very young woman in my opinion. Chanel has always appealed to the very classy and seasoned WOMAN, not the trendy 20 year old.
However, if Chanel is trying to broaden its horizons, then perhaps we'll see Brittany Spears holding a bottle of Chanel sometime soon....?

I love the photo of Lily Allen.It"s fun and classic with a twist.It"s time for change.

I think Lilly's shoot actually brought the class back in comparison to the previous Kira and Kate shoots, so I have no idea what you are talking about.

I get what the authors saying. Chanel was upscale and exclusive, something to envy and strive for. It represented success, class and style.

Now, it's everywhere and on some pretty average and some might say tacky people.

It's disappointing. I completely understand.

I like Lily Allen but as far as making her the new face for Chanel, that seems questionable to me. It seems as though they could have picked someone better. And all this Kate Moss bashing, please. Kate got into a bad situation where someone took private pics of her doing something that Lily Allen openly admits to doing. Simply put: Kate got caught. Bummer. At least she doesn't purposely broadcast her drug use to those who will listen.

To me this article comes off as very snobby, nobody in life is perfect and who are you to judge a person's past or present actions. I think its smart that Chanel is marketing to a wider range of people, and not just to who you think deserves to buy it and wear it.

You can dress someone up and make them "look" classy. That doesn't mean they are. We've gotten so far and away from any sense of social responsibility for one's actions in their personal life, which is the point I think the author was trying to make. This girl acts trashy, but is the face of what was once the epitome of a classy lady--not just looking the part but actually living it. It's almost as if celebrities are celebrated for how badly they behave in public (and private)--not very good role models.

What about Kate Moss? Hasn't she been in her fair share of trouble? Is she really the best role model?

I am sure it was a very conscious and thought thru decision, Karl Lagerfeld might have had an input but there are a lot of people involved in picking a new face, Chanel has a whole team of PR and marketing for sure and would not take a step without doing research and weighing the pros and cons, after all it is a business. I still think Chanel as iconic, just go to the store and the cheapest handbag you will find is $2,000 and up, I just was there this weekend and I love to go and see what's new, I grew up admiring all about Chanel and was ecstatic the first time I bought one, so them having Lilly Allen has not tarnished their image for me.