Karl Lagerfeld – Master of Design, Mentor of the Universe of Style
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
He was a designer who possessed charisma, charmed the masses unintentionally and his collections carried that immense appeal over a period of decades. Although we recently lost the great Karl Lagerfeld on February 19, 2019, at the age of 85, he will remain forever embedded in our hearts. From the time he began his career, Karl’s work was a force of creativity to be reckoned with. His talents stretched far beyond the world of design. He was an artist, photographer and one of the most outspoken creative directors of the century. Karl was known for a signature style that captivated even the most difficult to impress of fashion editors. He will always be remembered for his distinguished white hair pulled back in a ponytail, black sunglasses, fingerless gloves paired with his outfit of choice and he was never seen without high, starched detachable collars.
Every Chanel fashion show was more than just a seasonal presentation of trends. The majority were production worthy of the grand stage. For all his 35 years in the business, no two shows were ever alike. One season he used an underwater themed oasis featuring singer Florence Welch performing in a life size clamshell. In the Fall of 2017 show, the audience was treated to a full-scale Chanel-logo-embossed rocket ship which really did blast off post-finale. In the Fall of 2006 show, models paraded down Chanel’s Hall of Mirrors. Lagerfeld entertained us with his rendition of the Olympics in the Spring/Summer of 2008, the sports arena stage serving as the backdrop for the unveiling of a new collection.
Who could forget the imaginative and richly colored carousel with large Chanel bags instead of horses with models hanging on to the moment? Props were not difficult for Karl Lagerfeld to think up and bring to life. In his progression of shows, he used a giant bronzed lion statue, he used Parisian streetlights darkened on purpose, a decadent buffet table complete with elaborate candelabras. We enjoyed witnessing the jagged and geometric stalagmites, an enormous globe of the world and a makeshift brasserie. Scenes for each presentation to make it seem even more realistic ranged from an ancient Greece street to a deserted beach complete with tiny waves. Imagine models walking down the aisles of a local grocery store or taking a stroll in a Mediterranean garden, a butterfly trying to keep up with the model as she saunters down the walk.
Supermodels all loved being a part of Lagerfeld’s Chanel shows. Once the sought-after Linda Evangelista started modeling for Lagerfeld, her career skyrocketed. So many years later and learning of his death, she was overcome with emotion but so thankful for the years that she had known him as his model and his dear friend. One of his earliest muses was the vivacious French beauty, Claudia Schiffer. The supermodel considered him to be her mentor. Beautiful Vanessa Paradis was named as a Chanel ambassador in 1991 and will never forget the moment. Stella Tennant, Cindy Crawford and Kristen McMenamy all enjoyed that special bond with such a gifted designer. One of Lagerfeld’s rare male model muses whom he discovered in 2008 was Baptiste Giabiconi. His modern-day model favorites were Cara DeLevingne, Kendall Jenner, Kaia Gerber, Lily-Rose Depp and the Hadid sisters, Gigi and Bella.
Sadly, one of the greatest fashion productions, the Chanel Fall/Winter 2019 fashion show, took place only two weeks after the famed designer passed away. Virginie Viard, successor to Lagerfeld as Creative Designer of Chanel, had worked closely with the late designer in his last months, weeks, days to develop a collection sure to leave a lasting impact on Chanel clientele. The theme was well thought out, giving those who attended the show a very chilly taste of a village in the Swiss Alps, complete with snowy fir trees, mountains and log cabins with chimneys puffing actual smoke. Not only were those watching the show heavy with emotion, but, models fondly remembered a man whose passion for life and style was magical. They had tears in their eyes and a somber smile on their faces. The show opened with a moment of silence, honoring the man who made Chanel. Guests were given illustrations of Karl Lagerfeld walking with Coco Chanel and underneath the picture was the statement, “The beat goes on.” Sophisticated tweeds, signature suits with wide-leg trousers and single button blazers as well as courageous coral hues all made for a wonderful tribute to the late designer, the man of the hour. Actress and model Penelope Cruz walked the runway along with Chanel favorite, Cara DeLevingne.
We all mourn the loss of a timeless designer destined to be a star while here on earth and even more so into eternity. There will never be another designer quite like him, possessing all the requirements of a master of his trade. “Your memory will live on forever and ever, Mr. Lagerfeld!”
Photo Credit: Vogue Magazine, Chanel, Stephane Cardinale/Getty Images, Michel Dufour/WireImage, Prouse/Catwalking, Ron Galella/Getty Images , Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images.
https://www.chanel.com/us/fashion/collection/fall-winter-2019-20/
