10 Feb 2009

The Recession According to Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld is not a man known to do things by half measures, famous for his luxurious lifestyle and addiction to the finer things in life, Karl once commented that his 'greatest indulgence' is himself as it allows him to 'indulge others'. Proud owner of over 60,000 CDs, 100 iPods and 230,000 books, Karl certainly knows how to indulge himself in as much excess at his pours on his classic and luxurious designs. But this year, in light of the current global economic situation, Karl surprised fashion writers by toning down the Chanel collection at Paris couture week, moving away from his previous fashion spectacles, and into the territory of simplistic recession luxury.

In his couture collection, Karl said that he wanted to "start with a clean sheet of paper". "We are entering a phase of reality fashion." he added, "This is right. This is exactly what Chanel did; she wore the clothes she designed. We talk about the financial crisis, but it is also healthy. People who have been making 20% increase, year after year, and then are not making 20% any more, they are not poor. So don't cry for them. We have got into bad habits and it is not a bad thing to have a new starting point." Strong words from a man once called the 'king of excess'.


Surrounding his catwalk with a simple, virginal white, one of Coco Chanel's favourite colours, Largerfeld set the mood for a fresh start for the fashion year, adding to the simplistic vibe of his catwalk with the beautiful simplicity of flowers, camellias and roses. Celebrity guests, including face of Chanel's Mademoiselle fragrance, Keira Knightly, were seated around small tables adorned with laser cut, paper table cloths, reminiscent of the cut out design dresses seen at Fendi this season.
Lagerfelt kept his couture catwalk look simplistic and classic, with his models clad in a sea of white, occasionally punctuated by black accessories or the occasional all black outfit. He stuck to the classic, understated and structured designs that Chanel is so famous for, adding a recession twist to some of Chanel's iconic outfits. The two piece suit jacket was shrunken to add definition to a minimalistic dress or skirt, while Chanel tweed was transplanted from cardigans to dresses, one of the few 'frivolous' prints used by Lagerfeld in this collection. Instead of jewellery, each model was adorned with paper flowers and feathers, capes and headdresses, the handiwork of Japanese hair stylist, Kamo, whose work provided a counterpoint to Lagerfeld's classic designs, and showed off the beauty of simple things to perfection.

While I think that Karl's pro fur 'the beasts would kill us' views are unfounded and ridiculous, there's no doubt that there's something very special in the simplistic, staid elegance of this collection. Once again, Karl has reminded us what couture is really about, he gets massive Clothes Before Hoes love.

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

i lovet all the hats

Fashion Moment said...

Great collection, especialy - hats!

FM

Alecca Rox said...

well, well, well what have we got here?? is the recession becoming seriously trendy or what?

The Observist said...

I absolutely love this collection, It is incredible. If I was a whizz at origami I'd try it at home! Love your blog too :) xG

Elizabeth Marie said...

It's haute to be cost effective now? I still don't think the average woman can afford any of these looks but I sure love looking at them...ahhh one day! Chanel is my fave, Karl is so phenomal...thank you for posting this!! He gets major Unbeweavable love as well :)
xo
P.S You must check out Zooey! And then you can come with us on our date with Marc Jacobs.
xo

Afi said...

Thanks for the comment, you managed to look chic in the snow where the majority of us looked like tramps.

100 ipods, why so many,there is only about 10 colours. what is like 2 every week, or maybe one for every outfit. But knowing him he probaly has a million outfits.

xx

Couture Carrie said...

Fanciful collection as usual - no one else makes black and white pop the way KL does!

As for recession, I heard someone say that we are in a credit crisis, not a creative crisis!

xoxox,
CC

Baybay Mama said...

wait, he owns 100 ipods? holy cow.

Miranda* said...

i love all the white...nothings quite as classic as a lagerfield for chanel show :)

A BIT COQUETTISH said...

oh karl. possibly the most extravagant man ever to roam the earth! & one who knows how to make a beautiful collection!

Emy Augustus said...

the white outfits remind me of blank paper ... which i find very inspiring. i guess cuz it symbolizes possibility.

yiqin; said...

I thought the concept was great! & I loved that he incorporated pants in the collection

m1ke said...

i love the suits. i guess that's the designer? nice though. wild fashion

crystal said...

The more I learn about him, the more I admire the man!!

Agnes Deer said...

The new Chanel collection is too good to be true :) Beautiful! By the way, I love your blog's title :)

Juan Andres said...

Everytime I read something about him I feel that my love for him grows ten times more!

He is just a genius!

PS: Loved that HC collection !

Louise said...

I usually really don't like Lagerfeld, okay his designs are amazing - but he's a bit of a numpty. Sounds like he might have turned a new leaf though!

Thanks for commenting on my blog :).

Louise xoxo
http://becausewearingblacklooksmysterious.blogspot.com

brooke said...

it was truly an amazing collection, nice piece on it!! very well done :)

he always looks so... cool... or something :)

brooke xx

Kati said...

Karl is such a genious! I love all of the dresses!

Lavender said...

I quite love this collection. Your blog is great.

www.janetteria.com said...

Karl Lagerfeld is genius! I adore all of clothes and different accesories...

xoxo and hugs: Janet

Katrina said...

Love this collection.
You have a really good taste, love your blog !:)

xx

M said...

El #3 es ideal!

Zoe said...

Karl Lagerfeld is a genius, I apsolutely love him!

FASHION CHALET said...

lagerfeld love! xx

=]

Winnie said...

I really enjoyed this collection...but wait, he has over 100 ipods? Surely not!

Angela said...

love your post today. with the crisis, i think we will all make it but this is the time to revisit a more simple side of life as well.

Frankie said...

wow, such great structuring...ol' Karl knows his stuff x

jess said...

I loved the paper accesories in the collection.

Niviarsiaq said...

I don't think Chanel is particularly my style but I do always love Lagerfeld's collections. And those paper headpieces were all so beautiful!

Nil said...

I can live with that collection forever!!

Kira Aderne said...

I love this collection, simple, but great! Very romantic!

Tina { Luphia Loves... } said...

Karl is so amazing, this year's chanel collection is one of my all time favs! xx

Merily said...

very fairytale-like, love it.

Gabbi said...

Great post, I loved reading Largerfeld's views on the recession and seeing such lovely simple designs. I wonder what he has on 100 ipods though? :) A playlist on each one maybe? That's a lot of music...

Susana Rodrigues said...

About Karl I can only say: He is a genious, his work is art and the collections are just fabulous!
xoxo
Su

Kay said...

I heard he has an iPod in every place he ever stays, a pricey habit! Did you hear his comment that the global economic was a good, healthy thing as it needed to start over. I quite liked that (:
I do love Karl Lagerfeld...although he comes out with some pretty odd stuff (the whole 'the beasts would kill us' part). His point about those who just aren't making the same financial increase each year aren't exactly poor is a really good one as well.
Really great post.

Syed said...

Beautiful write up :) I absolutely loved the collection, so romantic and pretty!

Trish said...

Karl Lagerfeld is the best! Haha. Love him! :)

Petra said...

Such a beautiful collection! I love all the neutral tones, it is all so elegant and calm. Good 'ol Karl :)

xx

Anonymous said...

I love them all.....but I think they are still very pricey....

Anonymous said...

Great collection, especialy - hats!

Siru said...

I loved this collection. It makes paper so chic.

juliet xxx

Style Spot said...

Karl Karl Karl..he is a genius, isn't he?! I love these creations, and especially those gorgeous hats xox

Maria Tereza said...

Genius!!!
love the hats!

cherie said...

love all the dresses! it seems that everybody is now "aware" of the "recession".

kadler said...

Wait, 100 iPods? That makes zero sense.

Anonymous said...

I love Uncle Karl :)

I especially liked his quotes about "reality fashion", as thats what CC herself did, she freed us women up, making clothes and bags that were modern and practical while beautiful too <3 xxx

ashley said...

I just had to say that I love your blog title.
My sister and I have a joke about "only hoes don't wear hose" as in hosiery.
<3

FASHION CHALET said...

great minds do think alike haha =]

xx

thanks<3