PARIS, Oct 7, 2006/ FW/ --- With a bigger than life laptop that includes giant plasma screen and huge keyboard, Karl Lagerfeld celebrated the high-tech obsession and rebelliousness of the youth complete with the all-out, devil-may-care attitude of each generation.

The press notes said it was Coco meets James Dean, an interesting choice because James Dean had been dead for 50 years. Still, when the models came out in slim fit denim, whether trousers, shorts, jackets of vests turned jacket, it explained the theme of the collection.

So, out came the signature Chanel Prince of Wales houndstooth in classic Chanel jackets or as cute sleeveless sundresses sheered at the waist for a hint of volume, surely as the counterpoint of the James Dean inspired looks.

The big surprise of the show – cut off shorts both in denim and iconic Chanel houndstooth with the hem raw! Karl Lagerfeld was playing the rebel, changing the image of Chanel with this collection from its understated elegance to the more streetwise, anything goes stance of the current generation.

The show was fast-paced, a nod to the 3-minute attention span of the echo boomers. And with gargantuan laptop as backdrop, it also recognized the power of the mouse, wherein a surfer can click away within 5-seconds if they don’t like what they see on their screen.

All these and more are signs that Chanel is very much aware of the changing U.S. demographics, something that Karl Lagerfeld had been showing during the past several seasons.

But while expanding its market base, Chanel has not forgotten its current clientele as Lagerfeld sent out iconic Chanel silhouettes.

A new emblem for Chanel was also added, four-point star that was shown in prints both in denim and the traditional Chanel fabric. It was used in most of the looks presented, including swimsuits (or was it hot pants?).

Lagerfeld also used color blocks, mostly graphical in nature in the customary Chanel shapes. The brand was changing right in front of the audience’s eyes that was almost too fast to digest in a 15-minute runway show.

Still, the ending was dramatic, all the models standing on risers, much like a photo of the Class of 2006. Behind the pink curtain, Karl Lagerfeld emerge and together with all the cast of the show, they took their collective bow.