I don’t know if you’ve tried to buy a Chanel bag recently, but it can be downright difficult to find even something as basic as a black Chanel Classic Flap. Demand for the brand’s bags seems to be nearly endless, and seasonal styles and collection staples alike are here today, gone tomorrow. Not to mention the prices, which are perpetually rising.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or you don’t follow any fashion people on Twitter), you know that Chanel has made quite a splash in Las Vegas lately. Not only did the brand debut a lavish invite-only exhibition called Numéros Privés at the Wynn Las Vegas over the weekend, but yesterday, Chanel celebrated the grand reopening of its exquisite Bellagio boutique.

Chanel’s 2012 Spring-Summer Ad Campaign combines a mixture of entirely majestic with a touch of athletic to showcase the upcoming collection. Shot by Karl Lagerfeld, the campaign focuses on the clothing and accessories being portrayed in a very elegant manner, as the models pose on different athletic (mostly gymnastic) apparatuses.

You wouldn’t think the words Chanel and Sport would go together. Leave it to Chanel to make traditional sporty items incredibly chic by adding their luxury touches. While there are countless items in their sports category, it seems that none of these are currently available. I even searched on eBay and had no luck tracking down the amazing yet silly Chanel rugby football.

Some of my favorite Chanel items from my collection. Follow purseblog on Instagram

Typically for Want It Wednesday, I pick one thing that I am coveting greatly. But this week, all I want is Chanel. Chanel everything, from head to toe. From nail polish to makeup to bracelets to gloves to cosmetic cases to bags. This is one of those weeks where I am on a major Chanel kick and if I had it my way, I would pop into their store and buy one of everything.

Images via Chanel

The posting of any Chanel collection brings a wide range of responses – joy, rage, the sounds of overcome shoppers fainting and terrified credit cards weeping. Sometimes, it also brings consternation from fans of the traditional Chanel aesthetic – where have our classics gone? What is Uncle Karl doing with our beloved brand?

For those of you who fall into that last group, Chanel Cruise 2012 Handbags should be a sight for sore eyes.

Images via Style.com

For those underwhelmed by the sea-themed bags from Chanel Spring 2012, we have a treat for you today. Chanel Métiers d’Art 2012 debuted in a exquisite show in Paris’ Grand Palais earlier this week, and the intricately detailed handbags that accompanied the India-influenced collection will likely wow Chanel lovers and casual fans alike.

If you want a great explanation of the multiple reasons why this collection’s India reference was such a brilliant move by Karl Lagerfeld, Style.com’s review really nails it – the last days of the Raj are a fitting metaphor for the current political and economic climate, not to mention that the inspiration is a relevant comment on how fashion manufacturing has changed in recent years.

Oh, to be Lady Gaga. The world adores you, designers pine to make ornate crazy couture items for you, and you have by far the coolest and most moving commercial (Google Chrome) on TV this year.

But the main reason I am envying Lady Gaga right now is because Karl Lagerfeld designed a one-of-a-kind Chanel bag to be paired with her Chanel Haute Couture white tweed dress with black trim.

Mother Nature decided to send a downpour of rain with a mix of wind and a sprinkling of downright nasty to NYC today. I’ve been stuck inside desperately trying to find a way to boost my spirit and keep me moving while the weather is so drab.

This Chanel bag will bring a smile and an intense sense of yearning to everyone who sets their eyes on it.