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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How Florence Became a Fashion Machine

Since (or, for the gig going set, predating) the release of 'The Machine's inaugural single Kiss With a Fist  Florence Welch been the a style idol for the frenetic indie set. Her Geek-Chic look of matching brogues with stick skinny legs and charity shop jumpers was hip before the hipsters decided it so.

However things move fast in Fashionland and it wasn't long before Florence's willowy-meets-kooky looks were seized upon by magazine editors and designers alike. Florence began popping up at fashion parties. She started wearing shoes! High heeled ones which made her appear 7 foot tall! And we all know that the fashion pack adore an amazonian woman with fabulous hair, we should have seen it coming really. Then the photo op's. Oh look Flo in fresh from the presentation Givency Haute Couture. Here's Flo with NBF and Chanel Muse Blake Lively. Flo and Ricardo. Flo with Stephano. 

And then the ultimate. Florence practically hugging, HUGGING Karl Lagerfeld. 

That's it she's in. Cue fabulous Vogue Japan cover; shot,

 naturellement, by Kaiser Karl himself.

And c'est tout  Florence Welch is officially a Fashion Superstar. Try it at home kids, you too could hug Karl if you are just kooky and tall enough.

Inner Sanctums

Chanel

The aura of mystery that shrouds the world of Haute Couture usually means that it operates in a parallel universe to the general population. The much lauded but not terribly revealing documentary "The Secret World of Couture" aside there have been few opportunities to catch a glimpse inside this world populated by incredibly rich and notoriously private patrons and the artists and craftspeople who create their to-measure habiliments. Jacqueline Hassink, a New York based Dutch Conceptual artist has achieved rare access to this world and is documenting part of it in a photographic series exploring private and public space and corporate identity. Hassink, originally a sculptor, has created a series of photographs of the private fitting rooms of the worlds most famous couture houses which is the subject of an exhibition to be staged during London Fashion Week and soon to be published book. These images of the opulent spaces in which the worlds wealthiest fashion fans make their final decisions on which hand crafted work of art to order is an exploration of the complexity of space. The artist says

"Fitting rooms are of great importance to brands... I was fascinated by the complex compositions that were possible because of the mirrors. Haute couture fitting rooms are much larger than regular fitting rooms. After entering these spaces, I would spend some time walking around looking at different angles to shoot. As I walked through the spaces, the mirrors would show me reflections of different sections of the room. Only in certain areas of the room you will find these extraordinary complex compositions of space like the ones visible in the images taken at Jean-Louis Scherrer and Emanuel Ungaro. I have photographed fitting rooms that are hard for the viewer to grasp."

Christian Dior

Christian Lacroix

Giorgio Armani

Givenchy

Jean Paul Gaultier

Each of the rooms has the feeling of luxurious craftsmanship that one associates with couture, and reflects the sensibilities of the couture house that it represents. However there is also a classical feeling to the spaces reminding us that couture is rooted in tradition, a tradition of excellence and exclusivity. One not to be missed the exhibition Jacqueline Hassink, Haute Couture Fitting Rooms runs from February 22nd, during London Fashion Week, at NL – The Dutch Cultural Pop-Up Space in London, 40/42 Riding House Street, London, W1W 7ET

References and images courtesy of AnOther Magazine. Read a full interview with Jacqueline Hassink here: Fashion in Pictures - Haute couture fitting rooms | AnOther

http://www.jacquelinehassink.com