French luxe brand Chanel says that there is currently no plan to replace head designer Karl Lagerfeld.

“KL is Chanel’s creative director and has a long-term contract that is by no means reassessed,” a representative said. “His succession is not on the agenda.”

Rumor, first surfacing last summer, has it that Lanvin’s creative director Alber Elbaz is in talks with Chanel to take over once Karl Lagerfeld, now 76, retires.

The sketch of a polar bear by Karl Lagerfeld on the invitation to his autumn-winter show for Chanel on Tuesday was already a big hint.

As a howling wind came over the sound system, screens were hoisted up to reveal gigantic ice floes, from which his models emerged enveloped in shaggy furs to keep out the Arctic cold and splashed through puddles of melted ice in knee high yeti boots.

With bouffant platinum blonde hair swept up, they snuggled into floor-sweeping snow white coats quilted like the Chanel signature handbag, with deep black fur hems, cuffs and stole collars.

French actress and star of the current Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick ads, Vanessa Paradis has been announced as the face for the brand’s new Coco Cocoon handbag campaign.

Paradis previously starred in Chanel’s commercials for the Coco fragrance in 1992 and Ligne Cambon handbags in 2004.

Former star of the Coco Cocoon ads, singer Lily Allen announced via the British Radio 1 last year that she was planning to take a time-out from music for ‘at least one or two years’ in order to pursue a fashion career.

Following her last concert for the time being, for which she joined rapper Dizzee Rascal at the London 02 Arena this past weekend, Allen plans to open a boutique called Lucy in Disguise

French luxe brand Chanel has released pictures of its transfer tattoo range that will hit international department stores March 1.

The tattoo’s tacky seafarer image is long a thing of the past, but getting a brand logo permanently inked onto your skin was so far reserved for rappers and other flamboyant figures in show business.

Now, with its line of temporary tattoos, Chanel has found a way to win over the rest of us.

Chanel is to begin selling products directly through its website later this year in a landmark decision likely to be followed by rival luxury brands.

Chanel will sell only its fragrances online but is looking to extend this to eyewear and accessories.

In the past, luxury fashion brands have shied away from selling goods via the web, but some industry figures believe 2010 could be a ‘watershed’.

French luxe brand Chanel announced February 16 that movie director Martin Scorsese has created a short film to promote an upcoming men’s fragrance.

The ads will feature French actor Gaspard Ulliel and will air worldwide in September.

Andrea D’Avack, president of Chanel Fragrance and Beauté, declined to reveal details about the scent, including its name.