Audrey Tautou

Karl Lagerfeld is no wallflower when it comes to speaking his mind. But of all the things he has said as of late, this might be the most awkward. During a recent interview with Telegraph, the designer not-so-subtly shared his disdain of former Chanel No. 5 face, Audrey Tautou. More specifically, he didn't like Tautou's portrayal of Coco Chanel in the 2009 film Coco Before Chanel.

"Oh, the movie was bad," he said. "She played it like women's lib, like Simone de Beauvoir 30 years before The Second Sex. No, no, no, no."

But Lagerfeld did provide a glowing review of Keira Knightley in her role as Coco in his new short film, Once Upon a Time: "Chanel was a different kind of woman. Keira had it. She is a young woman in love, not a spinster."

He also had only good things to say about Knightley as a real-life newlywed. "She had the least pretentious wedding ever. The whole thing was relaxed. I think it's perfect. After all they lived together for quite a time. It's not as if she is a young girl of 18 who sees the husband for the first time. She is not a country girl."

If that wasn't enough Lagerfeld candor for one sitting, he also had something to say about those who use Facebook and Twitter. "They lose a lot of time, these people, and they become stupid because they nearly tell you they're going to the bathroom, eh?"

When Audrey Tautou brought the spark and sophisticated Parisian style of Coco Chanel to brazen life in the flick Coco Before Chanel, we got hooked on the iconic designer in her earlier years. How to adopt Coco's youthful vitality and style? It's about a smart jacket, a string of pearls, the ubiquitous striped top, and lots of menswear elements: wide trousers, vests, a hat. To make it modern, add casual elements to these more tailored, classic pieces. For example, mix a boucle jacket with a t-shirt, skinny jeans, and brogues. Or try wide-leg trousers with a slouchy silk shirt and tons of bracelets. We've gathered the best elements for a chic, ladylike wardrobe that is just a little smart 'n' sassy. Coco, we hope you would approve.

I have a confession: I have a hair crush on Audrey Tautou. It started with that famous stacked cut she wore while filming 2001's Amelie and has continued since. Whether she has longer hair or is sporting a wavy pixie, Audrey has the retro-chic look down pat. What makes this particular style (which she wore to the Paris premiere of De Vrais Mensonges) different is the way it starts off flat at the base and cascades down into a bevy of bouncy curls. So to find out how to style this retro-meets-modern bob, just keep reading.

I thought I had a good handle on the woman, the legend, Coco Chanel: Gabrielle, a magical seamstress, androgynous, smoker. Little did I know when I sat down to see Coco Before Chanel that I was going to embark on an emotional roller coaster — beautiful, deep, tear-inducing.

Naturally, a big part of the film is the wardrobe, but don't go expecting extravagance. Remember, this is Coco before Chanel, when she would make hats at home and sew her clothes out of her lover's closet. Menswear influences — bow-ties, vests, bowler hats — are major players. Pearls and tweed came much later; perhaps there should be a sequel, Coco After Chanel.

Read my review and see more photos.

>> The English-Speaking Coco Avant Chanel Trailer Is Out —We've seen the French trailer for Coco Avant Chanel, the silent trailer, and now finally there's an English-language trailer.  There's still a few months before the movie hits theaters in limited released Sept. 25, so for now, this will have to suffice. [Elle]

The trailer! »