PARIS, Mar 4, 2005/ FW/ --- When 17-year old Gemma Ward opened the show in a black & white outfit, her make up from the 1970s styling, wearing thigh high leather boots and the classic quilted Chanel purse in tow, Karl Lagerfeld’s message became immediately clear, “it’s time to woo the echo boomers, the new force in the ever changing U.S. demographics.”

And with leg warmers and leggings, either in leather, knits or transparent, a wardrobe staple of the 1980s, Karl Lagerfeld also went back to the decade when the echo boomer generation was born, when their parents, the youngest set of baby boomers were wearing them!

It’s truly amazing how fashion has come full circle with these two generations, parent and child that are so much alike, yet very different. While the baby boomers are known for their “I, me, mine,” that created a big generation gap with their parents, they raised team oriented children who consider either their father or mother their best friend.

This move by Chanel is not really surprising. As mentioned by CBS’ “60 Minutes,” Chanel essentially funds the market research for echo boomers.

Armed with that knowledge, Karl Lagerfeld sent out cute versions of the legendary Chanel suit this time in zigzag patterns or plaid, sometimes ending in fringes, and paired with matching leg warmers.

Because although the echo boomers are team players in general, they are also individualists when it comes to dressing. They are well informed and technologically savvy, watching fashion trends faster and better than other generations, using the internet as their main source of information.

With that said, Karl Lagerfeld’s choice of accessories could never be better – iPod holders that were carried by both male and female models. And yes, once again, there were boys in Chanel, an interesting way of showing androgyny.

Pageboy shorts and slim fitting pants with ribbons were interspersed with the skirts and dresses. Hats, shawls, arm warmers and gloves were seen the whole time, though truly, the leg warmers were the big thing this season for Chanel.

It’s Chanel through and through, and this time it’s for a new generation!

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