Karl Lagerfeld opened his pre-fall 2009 Chanel show last week with a ten-minute silent short film about Coco Chanel — his directorial debut!

Last year, Karl Lagerfeld brought Paris to London, and this year he brings Moscow to Paris, highlighted by his silent film presentation. He shied away from the subtle, with elements of Russian folklore tying the collection together, including elaborate headdresses, thick fluffy knits and sparkly gold boots.

“So many people are making films about Coco – I thought we should do one – and I wanted a silent movie,” said Lagerfeld, referring to films in the pipeline with the French actress Audrey Tautou and the miniseries with Shirley MacLaine playing the older Chanel.

Silent short  was shot in 2 days on the outskirts of Paris with actors plucked out of the fashion world and Chanel house sewing personnel.