Environmental concerns, the price of fuel, or simply the drive to keep fit? Whatever the reason, it seems more and more people are switching to two wheels–as I can’t help noticing while I’m cycling around town. And although I’m happy enough on my trusty rusty hybrid, it’s hard to ignore that bikes are getting more and more covetable. As a young boy, Chanel boss Karl Lagerfeld was given six bicycles by his parents. Not one after the other, mind you, but six at once. He says, “None of the other children had any because it was after the war. But I wouldn’t share, no, no, no. I would instead come to school every day on a different bike and the others would be very jealous.” Perhaps Lagerfield’s awareness of pedal-and-pump envy explains Chanel’s new $12,000 bicycle, part of its Spring/Summer ‘08 collection. With eight gears and the fashion house’s signature quilted leather touches, it rings all the right bells.

Read the rest of this entry »