Chapter 3: Ethics and Social Responsibility

      In terms of ethics and social responsibility fashion has never had the best reputation.  Regarding issues about eating disorders, body image, and also the use of animal fur. Though luxury goods that Chanel sell may be see to be extravagant, lavishness, or even wasteful, this might appear to be a contradiction. Head designer Karl Lagerfeld has caused much positive and negative controversy through the Chanel brand. 
     Recently Chanel has "gone green" reported using eco-friendly materials and craftsmanship in many of the newer clothing pieces. Chanel's spring/summer 2013 show at Paris' Grand Palais had gave fashion a whole new meaning to the idea of eco-friendly clothing. Showcasing the new designs, models strutted the catwalk along with giant wind turbines and titled solar panels.  

   Chanel has paved the way for many other brands to not use real fur. Chanel deputed their faux fur look in 2010 as alternative for real fur used in many luxury brand's looks. Karl has stated “I can hardly eat meat because it has to look like something what it was not when it was alive.” In terms of the perfume and cosmetics field,Chanel does not test against animals or use any type of animal in the products.

Karl Lagerfeld has sparked much attention when it comes to fashion models, whether the models he has used in any of his campaigns/shows have been too thin.  In one interview when he was asked if he feels responsible for the the health of the models he works with, he responded with "I can tell you all kinds of moral tales, but fashion and reality are vaguely different." Controversy had struck when plus size model Crystal Renn was used for a Chanel campaign. Crystal was shot from the neck up not showing her figure in the photograph. Many critics had their opinions whether Chanel, or rather Karl Lagerfeld was discriminating against plus size model figure. I beg to differ because Crystal Renn was then used Chanel's 2010 resort show. Having a plus size model walk in a Chanel show was declared as "groundbreaking" for the fashion world. 

Chanel has reported to have saved a number of Parisian haute couture ateliers, from going bankrupt thanks to morally concerned head designer Karl Lagerfeld. Chanel also has many charity events, and fashion shows that support a cause each year,which the proceeds go to. The Chanel Pour le Temps Charity Fashion Show is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Chanel is more than just a luxury name, and more than a fashionable handbag. 

http://nymag.com/thecut/2010/05/andr_leon_talley_on_calls_crys.html , http://chanelpourletemps.weebly.com/home.html, newyorktimes.com, chanel.com,