A friendship between a 26-year-old American actress and an 80-something German fashion legend seems unlikely.But Kristen Stewart has been part of the extended Chanel family for four years and thus is one of its creative director Karl Lagerfeld???s chosen few, alongside Cara Delevingne and Pharrell Williams.

???I???ve gotten to know him,???Stewart told me.???As an outsider I thought, ???He???s a character, he???s a fashion designer, he???s probably insanely pretentious.???But the guy ended up being the total opposite of that.???

Their latest collaboration is for Chanel???s new bag, the Gabrielle ??? the company???s first big bag launch for three seasons.???The look of the range is inspired by virtual-reality glasses,??? said Lagerfeld.

Gabrielle small hobo bag, ??2,650, Chanel andGabrielle large shopping bag, ??3,380, Chanel

Modern though it may be, the bag still boasts the label???s trademark chain, quilting and CC logo.???The handbag has a strong look, so the people who represent it have strong looks and personalities,??? he explained.

The images from this shoot ??? with Lagerfeld as photographer ??? to publicise the Gabrielle offer a tantalising glimpse of muse and designer at work.

???Seeing the satisfaction on Karl???s face when everything comes together is always a highlight for me,??? said Stewart.???He???s a visionary.???

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