Thursday, September 19, 2013

Everything's Coming up Karl (poor Alexa)

Kaiser Karl has been busy. Not only is there a new drop of his eponymous Karl Lagerfeld range on Net-A-Porter, he's also put his, ahem, singular views in print. 

Lets talk clothes first:



The collection is utterly wearable with some details and fabrics that hint at some of Lagerfeld's more exclusive collections. Jackets in tweed, leather and a chubby fur (faux this isn't Fendi) sit alongside sporty separates in grey jersey and acid yellow and a selection of kitschy accessories (a Choupette keyring anyone?). Embellished logo T's were less successful and are probably aimed at Karl superfans. Who else would love to sport Karl or his kitten's profile on their chest (à chacun son goût).


The boots which include a pair of rubber wellingtons with biker detail I felt would make the ultimate buy from the new drop. This could be purely based on the drastic change in the weather in the past fortnight that has left me floundering without having shopped for winter footwear, however I'll stand by my vote. Do you agree?:




You can of course go the whole hog and start sporting some leather fingerless gloves for a true homage to Karl's signature style. 





Onwards to the main event "The World According to Karl". Ever quotable, Lagerfeld's book is billed as a compendium of his greatest hits, whether he's taking potshots at dowdy politicians or expounding on his favourite subject, himself. 



Published in honor of the iconic designer's birthday, this hardback book is a celebration of Mr Karl Lagerfeld's "razor-sharp wit". It's undeniable that Karl Lagerfeld is a great fashion designer, and despite many decades at the helm of two great houses as well as his own brands his work remains fresh, but does this justify his outspoken opinions? Everyone who has heard of him has an opinion, Jean-Christophe Napias, editor of the book, insists that the content forms "a complex portrait, both public and intimate, of a secret man"
My favourite quote from the selection


I'm inclined to agree. Lagerfeld's seemingly intentionally controversial one liners as well as the often contradictory nature of his opinions seem to me to be in aid of constructing a facade, an idea of Karl Lagerfeld. Everything about his never changing appearance, the ponytail, the waistcoats down to the fingerless gloves seem to form a shell, a barrier between the world and the man. Tellingly included is the quote "When I was younger I wanted to be a caricaturist. In the end, I've become a caricature." 

The World According to Karl will make a fabulous gift for those with an interest in fashion and style, a coffee table must, both for the Lagerfeld fanatics as well as those who appreciate the tongue in cheek.

I feel sorry for poor Alexa Chung having the misfortune to release her "It" during the same period as her pal Karl's tome, people have been much less complementary to her musings, I wonder why...




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