At first glance, Alice Dellal might not seem the pitch-perfect candidate to front a campaign for Chanel. Half of her head is shaved, for one, and she's got a nose ring and an overall punk look that differs sharply from previous Chanel favorites like Blake Lively.
But according to a new statement from Chanel reported in WWD, it was Karl Lagerfeld's "crush" on Dellal that eventually won her a new campaign for the brand:
“[Karl Lagerfeld] had a crush on this unique, charismatic young lady, who is both a model and musician, during a photo shoot several months ago,” stated Chanel. “This previously unforeseen alliance finally became self-evident. Alice Dellal represents the perfect incarnation of all that is unique about the Boy Chanel handbag collection, which strives [to be] far from conformist notions of femininity.”
London-based Dellal is a socialite-turned-model-turned-musician, playing the drums in a band called Thrush Metal, and will be the face of the brand's Boy Chanel handbag collection. Chanel also released a behind-the-scenes shot of Lagerfeld photographing the new muse in an ornate apartment, where Dellal is perched on top of a desk wearing a rather traditionally feminine, cream Chanel ensemble.
