Karl Lagerfeld (1933-2019): an overview

Today we lost a true fashion legend, a visionary, a genius, an icon. Aged 85 Karl Lagerfeld died in a Paris hospital. The cause of his death is not yet known.

Karl, or Kaiser Karl, is best known for his creative director function at Chanel at which he started in 1983 (after having worked for Balmain (1955) and after making a name for himself designing poetic party dresses at Chloé (1963)). In the decades that followed since his arrival at the luxury fashion house he managed to turn the brand into one of the most iconic labels in the world. Chanel even contracted him ‘designer for life’. His over the top, million dollar fashion shows at the Grand Palais (turning the place into a supermarket, airport and a frozen world (incl. that XL iceberg) were unrivaled. A ticket to his show was still the hottest ticket in town during any Paris fashion week for the last couple of seasons.

And as if designing four to eight Chanel collections a year wasn’t enough for a man of his age, Lagerfeld managed to work at least three of more jobs on the side. He also designed for Fendi and his own namesake label. Not to mention he was the photographer to many of his own fashion projects and he made short films to accompany every new collection. The past couple of years he worked with Coca Cola, H&M, Magnum and Opel and never showed any sign of slowing down. Karl was unstoppable or as he once put it in an interview: “To design is to breathe. So if I can’t breathe, I’m in trouble.” “Why should I stop working?” he said. “If I do, I’ll die and it’ll be all finished.”

Eager as he was Karl also never stopped studying and learning from the books of his libraries filled with just about every single book on fashion written in the past two hundred years. And when asked how he was able to deal with such information overload he said he had a “Google mind”.

Like no other Karl Lagerfeld was able to keep Chanel and it’s tweed suits and quilted bags relevant. By improving and reinventing himself every single time (he wanted every season to become better than the one before, he never looked back). By joining forces with the latest it-girls (which he immediately turned into muses) of the fashion industry and being completely unpredictable in both his designs and his statements to the press. And boy, did Karl Lagerfeld say things like he meant it. He had no filter when talking to the press and always made sure journalists left with a bunch of new Lagerfeld oneliner headliners.

He turned himself into an icon wearing the same black and white outfit, the black sunglasses, the grey ponytail and the gloves for ages. And he made sure to involve his favorites Baptiste Giabiconi, Brad Kroenig and his cat Choupette in many of his projects.

He was the subject of at least three documentaries, “Lagerfeld Confidential” (2007), “Un Roi seul” (2007), and “Karl Lagerfeld se dessine” (2013), and several books, including a compilation of his quotations, “The World According to Karl,” from Flammarion (2013).

When asked about his secret to life and success he said: “There is no secret to life. The only secret is work. Get your act together, and also, perhaps, have a decent life. Don’t drink. Don’t smoke. Don’t take drugs. All that helps.”

Coco Chanel kept designing till her 86^th, Karl Lagerfeld nearly matched that. He will be missed.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Recap New York Fashion Week FW2019

New York Fashion Week might have scaled down a bit, we’re as inspired as ever for what’s to come. To give you a short summery of the #nyfw highlights and to inform you on what styles you might be wearing six months from now we’ve selected the biggest trends for the new season.

So far it seems the aw2019 season is going to be a colorful one, purple being the main color of choice (Michael Kors, Sies Marjan, Anna Sui). The dress up game is either classic and super feminine  – think: Victorian collars (Marc Jacobs, Zimmerman), cinched waists (Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler) and glamorous feather skirts – or androgynous and sharp – & crispy white – (Prabal Gurung, Ralph Lauren, Proenza Schouler).

Interesting were the quilted evening gowns Oscar de la Renta sent out, amazing how the label turned such heavy fabrics into elegant dresses. Talking heavy fabrics, the patchwork trend made it’s way onto the runway too (Prabal Gurung, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta).

And good news for anyone who isn’t planning on giving up his/her collection of leopard printed fashion pieces: the trend is here to stay (Marc Jacobs, Coach, Anna Sui).

Below our galleries of all the above trends, a first sneak peek for the upcoming season, FW2019.

Crisp & Sharp

• 

• 

• 

• 

Quilting

• 

• 

• 

Animal prints

• 

• 

• 

Cinched

• 

• 

• 

Patchwork

• 

• 

• 

Victorian collars

• 

• 

• 

Purple

• 

• 

• 

• 

Feathers

• 

• 

• 

• 

Coach Catwalk Fashion Show New York FW2019

So here’s a few trend items you’d might want to hold on to a bit longer. Small, pointy sunglasses, boxy tweed blazers, shearling coats, animal printed anything. Today’s Coach collections included all these trends and a bunch of fresh ingredients Stuart Vevers added for fall. Most looks existed of sheer floral dresses worn over checked pants (or shorts) paired with a heavy coat and leather laced boots. Bare legs and faux fur coats (Coach is officially fur free since October). Transparent florals and the thickest leather’; the layered looks were perfectly balanced out with opposing item. The coach boys and girls looked cool and collection in the range of wearable fits.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Marc Jacobs Catwalk Fashion Show New York FW2019

Marc Jacobs presented us with a complete A-line shaped collection this week. Forget cinched waists, the volumes of Jacobs dresses only got bigger and bigger from the shoulders down. It all started off with a anima printed cape followed by lots of voluminous and heavy capes and coats. Costum-y dresses with exaggerated proportions, tulle, feathers and ruffles in the mix. Looks topped of by the Stephen Jones–designed hats. It felt like a classic game of dress-up in your grandmother’s attic. There might have been a few award show worthy gowns in this collection. Yet apart from wearing these designs to such extravagant occasions like the Oscars or the Golden Globes the collection lacked wearability and modernity for clothes to be worn anywhere else. Then again that probably isn’t a concern for Jacobs at this point.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Anna Sui Catwalk Fashion Show New York FW2019

A backdrop of sixties concert posters, rainbow colored clothes and bright wigs for the models to match; Anna Sui invited us to her world of pop. A touch of retro, a bit of granny chic and a whole lot of dressing up going on here. The main ingredients for the Anna Sui fw2019 look? A floral printed dress and an heavy cardigan, bright colored legs, flat ankle shoes, a funky wig and some shaggy hats. Knits, silks and faux furs in the mix. It might have all been a little too retro, but the clothes breathed Anna Suit in every fibre. The swinging sixties in full effect. Are you ready?

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Proenza Schouler Catwalk Fashion Show New York FW2019

After a few shows in Paris Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough returned to NYFW this week. With a collection of oversized boxy jackets and long, dashing silhouettes. Tweed suits were made feminine by the tight bodies and bare skin underneath it. Roomy coats were cinched at the waists. A few long and lean dresses had wholes at the armpits, others had mesh details around the neck. There was duality in many looks, like a semi leather jacket, a sleeveless denim jacket (worn over a trench) and the pleated bottoms of some dresses. A plastic trenchcoat looked like a huge necessity for our Dutch fall season. Overall the collection was sophisticated and classic with the right touch of modernity.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Sies Marjan Catwalk Fashion Show New York FW2019

On a Swarovski crystal scattered runway the Sies Marjan models appeared in the label’s latest, colourful looks. Looks that, as designer Sander Lak intended it, spoke of love and falling in love. Satin, lace and glittery fabrics in the mix this collection was sweet, feminine with a touch of mystic (we got Indian vibes from some of the patchwork dresses). A light and loose fall collection, apart from the colored heavy leather suits. A black dress stood out from the rest as Lak told how he doesn’t like this color in his work. Yet, as with other elements in this collection (lace and neon) he pushed himself to use them and form some kind of love relationship with them. A rather strange approach (cause why not just use all the ingredients you do love?) but it worked out.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Ralph Lauren Catwalk Fashion Show New York FW2019

Our Thursday morning started off with a breakfast at Ralph Lauren’s. yogurt, eggs, bagels and a stunning fw2019 collection awaited us at his café at the 72nd Street side of his Madison Avenue women’s flagship store. “Ralph’s Coffee” was an intimate, branded setting, such a pleasant way to do a fashion show these days. Not to mention a perf follow up to the fashion house’s 50^th anniversary last year. Ralph’s models started their strut on the staircase all the way through the café. They sported sophisticated, classic looks in a palette solely existing of black, white and gold. Their clothes looked like they’d appeal to women of all ages. Don’t we all want a pair of sequined pants and tuxedo jackets, classic V-neck jumpers, see through blouses, little black dresses, pleated pants and asymmetrical party tops in our wardrobe? Not to mention the finale of golden dresses; tea dresses, T-shirt dresses, slip dresses, column gowns. Gold waist belts, chunky earrings and pointy heels topped it all off. Classic elegancy with a modern touch. We like.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Tom Ford Catwalk Fashion Show New York FW2019

For fw2019 Tom Ford opted for simplicity. Nothing too outrageous or over the top, but a collection filled with beautifully made of wearable, 90s inspired designs in a palette of pink, brown, red, khaki, black and white. Now they may have been simple (or ‘secure’ as Tom Ford called this “search for security”) when taken in from a Tom Ford point of view, they were luxurious and outspoken nonetheless. Shiny silk oversize pants, velvet tuxedo jackets, (tucked in) turtle necks, blouses and hoodies as well as XL fur coats, extreme fur hats and platform pumps formed the daywear for women. For the men Tom Ford created fitting suits in leather or pinstriped. Gloves, scarves, hats, XL sunnies and long puffer coats to match. The finale of evening gowns came in the shape of long asymmetric column dresses with chunky chains around the model’s necks/chests.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Catwalk Trend Spring/Summer 2019: It’s a zoo out there

We’ve just come to the conclusion that half of our wardrobe is filled with leopard printed items ever since that trend completely took over. We might have added a touch of tiger and even a Dalmatian printed piece along the way, but there’s no denying the love for leopard. It has become our new neutral so to say. And thus, we’re moving further in the world of prints, looking for the next big thing. As it turns out that trend isn’t even that different from the animal print trend. In fact, it’s an animal print too. A different one though; these prints don’t feature the animal’s print, but the complete animal as a print. Just look at the farm animal at Dolce & Gabbana, the birds at Fendi, the butterflies at Mary Katrantzou, the fish at Michael Kors and the peacocks at Valentino. All very colorful, vivid and exotic. Animal prints revisited.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

« Previous Page — Next Page »