Anatomy of a Classic: The Chanel 25 Bag

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It was like a scene out ofMean Girls. DuringParis Fashion Week, Girl World and Animal World collided spectacularly at Chanel boutiques across the city, as editors, influencers, and VIPs clawed their way throughMatthieu Blazy’s debut ready-to-wearcollection, fighting over those seafoam-green square-toe slingbacks, as well as a certain ludicrously capacious black bag. The hysteria soon went global, with reports of pandemonium at Chanel stores from London to New York to Aspen.

It was a curious phenomenon, but perhaps not much of a surprise. A good reputation—coupled with the twin forces of algorithmic whiplash and limited inventory—tends to yield such results. Before Chanel, Blazy spent three years as creative director at Bottega Veneta, where he established his MO of brilliantly subverting house codes with millennial verve and just the right hint of #IYKYK. Except, well, now everyone knows.

Blazy’s Métiers d’Art collection hits stores this month (you’ve been warned) and includes those bouclés and quarter-zips and the new Chanel 25. Named as a nod to the iconic 2.55, it comes in three sizes and—speaking of millennial savoir-faire—has a pair of iPhone-size side pockets. We like the leopard-print above—which is made of textured leather—for its big cat energy.

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Chanel25 handbag from the 2026 Métiers d’Art collection, 800-550-0005

This story appears in the May 2026 issue ofTown & Country.SUBSCRIBE NOW

Photography by David SchulzeFashion & Accessories Director Dania Lucero OrtizProp styling by Alexandra Massillon at Holly Corbett Represents

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May 02, 2026

Anatomy of a Classic: The Chanel 25 Bag

"Hearst Magazines and AOL may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." It was like a scene out of...

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Rescue group set to buy 1,500 beagles from Wisconsin facility targeted by violent protests

Animal welfare organisations have announced an agreement to purchase nearly 1,500 beagles from a Wisconsin dog breeding and research facility, which recently became the scene of a violent confrontation between activists and police. The incident earlier this month saw law enforcement use tear gas and pepper spray to repel campaigners attempting to breach the premises.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy confirmed a confidential deal with Ridglan Farms to acquire 1,500 of the approximately 2,000 beagles housed there, for an undisclosed sum. The fate of the remaining dogs at the facility remains uncertain. Ridglan Farms has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Lauree Simmons, president and founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, expressed her delight to The Associated Press, stating: "It's a very big win and I am ecstatic to have these dogs out and get them into loving homes." Ms Simmons declined to elaborate on the financial terms of the agreement, its duration, or the precise number of beagles still at Ridglan following the transaction.

The 1,500 beagles are scheduled for transport later this week from Ridglan to various partner agencies, as well as to Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s own facilities in Florida and Alabama. There, they will undergo medical examinations, microchipping, and vaccinations before being evaluated for adoption.

Ms Simmons highlighted the significant adjustment these animals face: "These dogs need to learn to walk on a leash. They need to learn to live in a home environment, be housebroken, spayed and neutered." She added that should an adoption not prove successful, the dogs are always welcome to return to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, which operates the largest cage-free, no-kill dog rescue in the US from its Loxahatchee, Florida, facility.

Animal activists have been pushing for 10 years to have the dogs at Ridglan Farms adopted, not sold to other research facilities.

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Simmons said her group was not involved in the recent protests that drew increased attention on Ridglan, but she credited activists with raising awareness about what was happening.

“What they did was put the message out," Simmons said of the activists. “What we did, we wanted to do legally and in the best way and for the best outcome of these dogs for the future.”

About 1,000 activists from across the country came to Ridglan Farms in rural Blue Mounds in an attempt on April 18 to take the beagles kept there about 25 miles (about 40 kilometers) southwest of the capital,Madison. They were met by police who repelled them with tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray. The Dane County Sheriff’s Department said 29 people were arrested and five face felony burglary charges.

Activists filed a federal lawsuit inWisconsinlast week alleging that police used unnecessary force to repel those trying to break into the facility and take the dogs. Ridglan has said those who tried to break in were a “violent mob” who launched “an assault on a federally licensed research facility."

In March, activists broke into Ridglan and left with 30 beagles. Sixty-three people were referred from the sheriff's department to the district attorney for potential charges related to that break in.

Ridglan Farms agreed in October to give up its state breeding license as of July 1 as part of a deal to avoid prosecution on felony animal mistreatment charges. Ridglan Farms has denied mistreating animals, but a special prosecutor determined that Ridglan Farms was performing eye procedures on the dogs that violated state veterinary standards.

byCreto Bactum

in

May 02, 2026

Rescue group set to buy 1,500 beagles from Wisconsin facility targeted by violent protests

Animal welfare organisations have announced an agreement to purchase nearly 1,500 beagles from a Wisconsin dog breeding and research fa...

Read More

Vince Gill encouraged wife Amy Grant to 'live the life that you get' after her traumatic brain injury, she says

Amy Grant said husband Vince Gill encouraged her during her health problems in recent years by giving her perspective.

Key Points

• The "Takes a Little Time" singer has had open-heart surgery, a brain injury, and surgery on her throat and shoulder since 2020.

• She will release her first album in a decade, The Me That Remains, May 8.

Amy Grant has been through several health struggles in the last few years, but husband Vince Gill has helped her stay hopeful.

"I just remember saying to Vince, 'What if this is all I get back? What if this is it?'" the "Baby, Baby" singer said Thursday on NPR'sWild Card With Rachel Martin. "Because, to me, it's like the world is in a conversation, and I am down the hall and in a back bedroom [when it comes to] my response time."

Grant, 65, has endured open-heart surgery, a brain injury, and surgery on her throat and shoulder since 2020.

"He just said, 'Amy, life happens to every one of us every day,'" Grant recalled. "A virtuoso musician could have a stroke and never be able to pick up their instrument again. All you do is you just take the hand you're dealt that day and live the life that you get."

That's been difficult for the six-time Grammy winner who appreciates a good joke and likes to drop her own one-liners.

But "that doesn’t happen when you're like three steps behind the rest of the room," she said.

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Her physical challenges have also included having to learn to sing again, following the traumatic brain injury she suffered in a July 2022 crash on her bike that left her with loss of short-term memory, balance problems, and a cyst in her throat that needed to be removed.

Grant married Gill, a music star in his own right, in 2000. She was previously married to Gary Chapman, with whom she shares three adult children. She and Gill share daughter Corrina, who's 25.

Grant has released multiple albums since then, including the upcoming and very personalThe Me That Remains, which, she told NPR, was inspired by her return to touring in 2023. She found herself looking at the audience, full of people about her age, and wondering.

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"At some point,," Grant asked herself, "am I doing us all a disservice by not writing about what life feels like now?"

Grant's new album,The Me That Remains, is available May 8.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byCreto Bactum

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May 01, 2026

Vince Gill encouraged wife Amy Grant to 'live the life that you get' after her traumatic brain injury, she says

Amy Grant said husband Vince Gill encouraged her during her health problems in recent years by giving her perspective. Key Points...

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Royal Photographer Details What It Was Like to Have a 'Front Row Seat' to Kate Middleton and Prince William's Wedding

Longtime royal photographer Chris Jackson reflected on capturing Kate Middleton and Prince William's 2011 wedding

NEED TO KNOW

• The royal couple marked their 15th anniversary on April 29 with a surprise visit to a London charity

• Kate Middleton and Prince William also shared a new family photo with their three children

A longtime royal photographer is reflecting onKate MiddletonandPrince William's wedding day on the couple's 15th anniversary.

On Wednesday, April 29, photographerChris Jacksonof Getty Images shared one of his photos of the royal couple's 2011 wedding toInstagram, alongside a caption about what it was like to have a "front row seat" to the historic event.

"I’m often asked about my favorite royal photos," Jackson, who has followed the British royal family for over 20 years, began his caption. "Always a tough question after almost 25 years of snapping away, however, this moment, 15 years ago today has to be up there..."

He continued: "Not just due to the history and spectacle of the moment but the period of excitement and optimism it represented. The build up to the Royal Wedding of the (now) Prince and Princess of Wales was full of optimism, patriotism and excitement."

"To have this privileged ‘front row’ seat to such a historic moment is something I will never take for granted or forget," Jackson concluded.

The royal couple is celebrating the 15th anniversary of their April 29, 2011, wedding, which was held at Westminster Abbey and attended by approximately 1,900 guests (while millions more watched on TV).

On Wednesday, William, 43, and Kate, 44, marked their milestone anniversary bymaking an unannounced visitto a charity in London.

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The charity, IntoUniversity, holds special meaning for the royal couple, as it was one of 26 charities that benefited from their Royal Wedding Gift Fund, which was set up to allow guests who wished to give the couple a gift the opportunity to donate to select charities instead.

While there, the couple — who coordinated in blue blazers — joined a group of students from a nearby primary school as they took part in some of the charity's free educational activities and workshops.

Earlier in the day, the Prince and Princess of Wales alsoshared a new photoof their family in honor of their anniversary.

The loving snap featured William and Kate lying in a field alongside their three children,Prince George, 12,Princess Charlotte, 10, andPrince Louis, 8. The image was captioned "Celebrating 15 years of marriage ❤️".

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Prince William and Princess Kate first met while studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. They dated off and on before getting engaged in 2010.

Read the original article onPeople

byCreto Bactum

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May 01, 2026

Royal Photographer Details What It Was Like to Have a 'Front Row Seat' to Kate Middleton and Prince William's Wedding

Longtime royal photographer Chris Jackson reflected on capturing Kate Middleton and Prince William's 2011 wedding NEED TO KNO...

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King Charles III visit live updates: Charles, Camilla welcomed at White House

KingCharles IIIandQueen Camillaare making their first-everstate visitto the U.S., visiting Washington, D.C., New York City and Virginia.The royals’ visit comes at a heightened time, following ashooting incidentoutside the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner and amid newstrainsbetween the U.K. and the U.S. over the war in Iran. It’s also happening under the shadow of Charles' brotherAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor'sconnection to the ongoingEpstein scandal.

During the visit, Charles will deliver a rare joint address to Congress and there will be a state dinner at the White House.

Latest Developments

Apr 28, 10:55 AMKing Charles, Queen Camilla arrive for ceremonial welcome at White House

King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the South Portico of the White House for a formal state arrival ceremony. They are being greeted by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.Notable officials are gathered on the White House South Lawn in rainy weather for the ceremony that will include a review of the troops, remarks by Trump and more.

Apr 28, 10:09 AMStrained US-UK alliance in spotlight amid state visit

President Trump is hosting King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the White House as the "special relationship" between the United States and the United Kingdom is under a microscope amid the war with Iran.While Trump has repeatedly praised King Charles as a "friend" whom he's known for years, his relationship with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been another story. The president has repeatedly assailed the U.K. and other NATO allies over the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran.Trump said the visit from the king -- the U.K.'s constitutional and ceremonial head of state -- may help restore any damaged ties between the two allies."Absolutely. He's fantastic. He's a fantastic man. Absolutely the answer is yes," Trump told the BBC in a phone interview when asked if the visit could help repair the relationship.Read morehere.-ABC News' Nicholas Kerr

Apr 28, 10:05 AMKing Charles to be welcomed at White House: What to expect

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will welcome Great Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House South Lawn later this morning.Thousands of guests are anticipated to be in attendance, including Cabinet officials, U.S. and U.K. delegations, members of Congress, students from the British International School of Washington and more.The official arrival of the king and queen will begin with a traditional military arrival ceremony by the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, a "tradition that dates back to the 18th century," the first lady’s office said. The national anthems of both countries will then be played by the U.S. Marine Band, followed by the Presidential Salute Battery rendering a 21-gun cannon salute."Following an Inspection of the Troops and a Troop in Review, facilitated by the U.S. Army Fife and Drum Corps, the President will deliver remarks from the South Lawn," the first lady's office said in a press release.-ABC News' Emily Chang

Apr 27, 6:41 PMCharles, Camilla view White House beehive

Charles and Camilla were shown the White House beehive by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump during their visit Monday.Videos sharedon social mediaby a top White House aide show the president and first lady and the king and queen inspecting a new White House-shaped beehive that is part of an expansion announced by the first lady last week.Two other beehives have been on the south grounds of the White House since 2009,according toThe Associated Press.

Apr 27, 4:45 PMRoyals arrive at the White House

King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the White House. The king and queen were greeted by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump on a red carpet outside the White House after landing at Joint Base Andrews earlier today.The couples posed for photos briefly.

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Apr 27, 3:30 PMBritish Embassy shares behind-the-scenes garden party prep

The British Embassy shared abehind-the-scenes look onMonday at how it is preparing for a garden party welcoming Charles and Camilla to the U.S.The garden party, hosted at the embassy residence in Washington, D.C., will include 650 guests who will snack on four types of tea sandwiches as well as scones and desserts.The embassy’s head chef said the team is preparing nearly 3,000 tea sandwiches for the party.

Apr 27, 3:06 PMThe king and queen greet UK ambassador

Charles and Camilla were greeted by the U.K. ambassador and two children with posies as they deplaned on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews.

Apr 27, 2:43 PMThe king and queen arrive in the US

Their plane landed at Joint Base Andrews moments ago.

Apr 27, 1:34 PMA look back at King Charles' trips to America

King Charles has visited the United States 19 times before but today will mark his first state visit as a monarch.Charles’ first trip to the U.S. was in 1970 when the 21-year-old Prince of Wales traveled with his sister Princess Anne and were guests of the Nixons.

Charles also traveled to Los Angeles in 1974 where he met and struck up a friendship with Barbra Streisand.

In 1985 Charles, accompanied by Princess Diana, met the Reagans at the White House. It was on this trip that Diana famously danced with John Travolta.In 2005 Charles took Camilla to see the Bushes on their first official overseas trip since their marriage, and in 2015 the couple returned to the White House as guests of the Obamas.This trip will have echoes of previous royal visits when Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, visited the United States in July 1976 for the 200th anniversary of American independence. More recently, in 1991 Elizabeth became the first British monarch to address Congress.

Apr 27, 12:42 PMWill Epstein scandal linger over royals' visit?

The royals' visit to the U.S. comes amid the ongoingJeffrey Epstein scandalthat has rocked both sides of the Atlantic and directly entangled the royal family.Charles' younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor wasarrestedin February on suspicion of misconduct in public office following theemergence of documentsfrom the U.S. Department of Justice’s files detailing communication between Mountbatten-Windsor and the late Epstein, a convicted sex offender.Charles, Camilla and other members of the royal family have faced heckling at public events in the U.K. over the family’s handling of Andrew. Following his brother’s arrest,Charles saidauthorities have the palace’s “wholehearted support and cooperation,” adding, "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course."The former prince has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, and has not been charged.

Click here to read the rest of the blog.

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April 30, 2026

King Charles III visit live updates: Charles, Camilla welcomed at White House

KingCharles IIIandQueen Camillaare making their first-everstate visitto the U.S., visiting Washington, D.C., New York City and Virginia...

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Queen Camilla Did Not Wear a Tiara at the White House State Dinner

Queen Camilla chose a striking outfit for aWhite House State Dinnerthis evening, complete with aglittering royal heirloom necklace. However, there was one piece of jewelry missing that royal watchers may have been looking out for—a tiara.

Camilla did not wear a tiara tonight, in a move that is a departure from Queen Elizabeth’s choice of dress for her four State Visits to the U.S. There was no explanation offered from Buckingham Palace about the reason for this choice. However, if Camilla had chosen to wear one, unlike at UK State Banquets where all the senior royals wear tiara, she would likely have been the only person there tonight in a tiara.

When Queen Elizabeth made the last State Visit by a British monarch to the U.S in 2007, she wore her favored Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara for a White House dinner in her honor. In 1991 she wore a sapphire Tiara often referred to as the Belgian Sapphire Tiara, in 1976 she wore a Kokoshnik tiara once owned by Queen Alexandra, and in 1957, she wore the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara.

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While Queen Elizabeth always wore a tiara to White House state dinners, it is worth remembering that while Camilla is also a Queen, her position is different. Camilla is not a sovereign Queen; her husband King Charles is the one who is head of state.

On her arrival in to the U.S. on Monday, Camilla used a piece of her jewelry to pay tribute to her hosts, in a move that is often described as “diplomatic dressing" she chose aCartier brooch with the Union flag and Stars and Stripeson it which was given to Queen Elizabeth on her 1957 State Visit.

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Queen Camilla Did Not Wear a Tiara at the White House State Dinner

Queen Camilla chose a striking outfit for aWhite House State Dinnerthis evening, complete with aglittering royal heirloom necklace. How...

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Jill Whelan Explains How Late “Love Boat” Producer Pressured Her About Her Weight with Manipulative Wardrobe Move

Jill Whelan played Vicki Stubing on The Love Boat from 1978 to 1987

NEED TO KNOW

• Growing up on the show allowed Whelan to form a special connection with her costars, but it also led her to be targeted by one of the show's producers

• Whelan appeared on the Still Here Hollywood podcast, discussing why she and the late Doug Cramer never meshed

Jill Whelanis opening up about the darker side of her time onThe Love Boat.

The actress, 59, played Vicki Stubing, the captain's daughter, on the ensemble drama, giving her the opportunity to work with many different folks on the set. In an appearance on theStill Here Hollywoodpodcast, Whelan talked about having "fond memories of my cast and our crew and Aaron Spelling."

Whelan says that there was one person on the set, however, whom she found adversarial.

"Not so fond memories of Doug Cramer, however, because Doug was a misogynist and I've never talked about it. But he's passed now and his children are passed as well. So I feel safe in saying, but he was not an advocate of women, at all." Whelan said.

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Cramer, one of the producers onLove Boat, died in June 2021. Whelan maintained, "He was not a good human."

Whelan cited an incident during wardrobe fittings where Cramer manipulated the situation to concern her and costar Lauren Tewes.

"When we would come, Lauren Tewes, who played Julie McCoy, we would come to a wardrobe fitting at a new season, to get new uniforms and new evening gowns and new loungewear, and he would call the wardrobe department and tell them to buy everything one or two sizes smaller than we are so that we would come in and be embarrassed in fittings about things not fitting," she shared.

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Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Moments like that impacted Whelan's feelings about her body and prompted her to take action.

"I remember one time, and at that particular time, I was going through puberty, and it's, you know, things happen in puberty. I had gone to a fat farm, or I guess you would say today a spa. I went to a spa in Ojai and I had lost some weight and I was also working with some crazy doctor who had me on 400 calories a day."

Host Steve Kmetko remarked that was "too drastic," and Whelan agreed, adding, "It screws with your metabolism and everything."

Whelan said that she found herself also punished for losing the weight, explaining, "I just learned this information from a dear friend of mine, who was his executive assistant."

"She said we were in dailies one day, and for people who need to know what that is, once you shoot a day, at least in film, on the set the next day, the editor prepares everything, all the takes and everything, that the director has said print to. And the producers and the director and everybody that needs to, watches it on the big screen," she explained.

"There's a scene where I come out of an elevator and the doors open into a purser's lobby, and I'm in an evening gown with a sweetheart neckline and she said, 'You looked great.' It was a full-body shot, and Doug said, 'Oh, no, I don't want that shot. I don't want to see her looking thin. I'm pissed off she was fat in the first place. Neck up only."

Despite those difficult times, Whelan still loves her castmates and looks back fondly on her time on the show. Whelan has reunited with costarsFred Grandy,Bernie KopellandTed Langeon Princess'TheLove BoatCelebration for reunions in recent years, telling PEOPLE in 2025 the events are "super fun."

“It's really special because I'm working with them as an adult now rather than as a kid,” the actress says. “We enjoy each other's company and we enjoy each other's intellect — whether we have it or we don't — but we all love each other's sense of humor and we know each other so well. When we work together, there is a shorthand that is super satisfying.”

Read the original article onPeople

byCreto Bactum

in

April 29, 2026

Jill Whelan Explains How Late “Love Boat” Producer Pressured Her About Her Weight with Manipulative Wardrobe Move

Jill Whelan played Vicki Stubing on The Love Boat from 1978 to 1987 NEED TO KNOW Growing up on the show allowed W...

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