I don't understand any of this. Ugly, unflattering, strange...those are the only words I can use to describe the clothes debuted at the Pre-Fall 2009 show. I can only hope that Karl gets feedback similar to mine and changes some things before we see the official Fall 2009 collection. Are those hats props, or will they actually try to sell those things? I thought designers were supposed to be making 'classic investment' pieces due to the economy. Obviously not Chanel.

In another glaring sign of the world recession, CHANEL, one of the grandest French fashion names, is to lay off 200 Paris staff. Until recently, luxury brands such as Chanel were claiming immunity from the slump. Demand for the high end was holding up, driven by the nouveaux riches of Russia, China and other emerging powers, they said.  But that denial has since faded with empty boutiques during the usually busy Christmas season.

In another sign of hard times, LVMH, the world's biggest luxury conglomerate, has cancelled a plan for a Louis Vuitton megastore in Tokyo's Ginza district. LVMH has lost 44 per cent of its share value this year. Yikes!

In the economic downturn, the luxury goods sector will be focusing less on exclusive trophies and more on reason, decency and discretion. I wonder how that will affect their price points? probably not much.

One of the more interesting things we saw at the Paris Spring 2009 Fashion shows was the Chanel guitar and guitar bag. It was a simple black guitar, but it discreetly spells Chanel on the end. It comes with a wide guitar strap in brown, black and white stripe, with the Chanel logo on the leather detail. We also say a white, quilted leather guitar case, to hold the Chanel guitar I'm assuming. My question is, would any real musician buy and use this thing? It will undoubtedly be grossly overpriced, so it seems more like a showpiece than something anyone would actually use. I think we are seeing a trend with Mr. Karl Lagerfeld... remember the Chanel bicycle.

In the Paris 2009 Fashion Week Chanel runway show, Karl Lagerfeld stayed closely true to the fashion houses' signature look with tweed blazers and knee length skirts, almost all in black and white. However he did go a little wild with lots of sheer and unique cut outs. He used big jewelry to accent his otherwise colorless outfits. I thought his fitted, black version of the very 'in' jumpsuit was much sexier and sleek than any others I have seen, although it will take an almost flawless female form to pull it off. Overall, I thought the collection was beautiful and classic, but somewhat predictable. Click here to check out the shoes from this collection.