Chanel Resort 2009

Want to know the best way to throw Chanel Paris PR into a perfectly French fit? Accidentally try to climb into the car with actress Diane Kruger (wearing a satin navy mini-dress with a jaunty straw hat and open-toed booties), that’s how. "Oh non, non. Sorry, sorry!" says Chanel, flapping you to the next car. What? Is it my faute I mistook her for a 17-year-old model?

With Kruger sitting safely snug-a-bug front row with Anna W., the show at the Deco-glam Raleigh hotel goes on. Models walk a slinky runway built right on top of the Raleigh’s famous curvy pool. With models stomping around in precarious shoes with heels made to look like guns (hmm…taking Miami Vice a little too far?), one could be forgiven for thinking the pile of plush towels placed discreetly under a palm tree was waiting to rescue some poor mannequin doing her best Lady of Shallot headfirst into the pool. Thankfully, they all made it through dry and the towels were there for a surprise closing performance from the United States synchronized swimming team that thrilled even this glittery crowd.

As for the clothes, Lagerfeld turned out a diverse 74-look collection that speaks to all the needs of the resort-hopping crowd. There were stylish one-shouldered bathing suits, smokings, loose, light trousers and tie-dyed logo tees, naturally, but also smatterings of big city beaded dresses and a white satin mini with a cutout filled with 3-D flowers over the torso. And the after party, well, you could hear it clear down the beach for hours.

Shown: Invite to the Chanel Resort show in Miami Beach. Photography by Angie Martin.

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