Let's take an exclusive look at the KARL by Karl Lagerfeld collection for Net-a-Porter. Now, isn't that the best logo you've seen all year? If there's one silhouette that says fa-fa-fashion, it belongs to the Kaiser. Love it. So, the KARL line launches on Wednesday 25 January, has an affordable price tag (starting at £50 for KL's signature leather gloves, to just under £1000 for a biker jacket) and, as you can imagine, carries a lot of monochrome.
Dress like Karl? Fun, but no thanks, was my initial reaction to the range - as I recalled a set of dancing Lagerfeld-look-a-likes spotted the last time (and it was the last time) I went to a festival.
But it's not all Zoolander and high camp. Classic black and white always looks elegant and oh-so French. The soft leather biker jacket, silver Lurex tunic and distressed metallic jeans all have a whiff of Emmanuelle Alt's pared-down, rock and roll style, and as Natalie Massanet states, ' It's a very strong, well-edited collection with a great mix of street attitude and timeless chic. It also is an entire wardrobe that mixes and matches well with itself.'
I'm pleased to see KARL has given white jeans his leather-clad thumbs up. Every summer I battle with the Hurley/Middleton aversion but now the balance has swung back into the Ines/Karl camp, I can confirm that, this season, white jeans are classy not trashy.
And there were sequins. A simple dress and a sparkly biker jacket that was borderline Cher in Bob Mackie but on the right person...
Not everyone wants to be Karlified. There's a tipping point when imitation turns into fancy dress. So, the Kaiser can keep his big collars and leather fingerless gloves. More Jackie Stewart than Jackie O. Madonna may have been sporting the Chanel gloves of late, but I'll keep my age spots on show, thank you very much. When in doubt, just ask yourself, 'Does this say Parisian Chic? Would Ines wear it?' I think we all know the answer to that little fashion conundrum.
I supsect I will agree wholehearted with you on this when I see more of it. From the photos on here it looks like it is just the occasional item which is working.
ReplyDeleteNeed to check out this I think. Love the leather jacket though... and forgot to comment on your last post - made me smile so much. How many times have I actually uttered those very words to those pesky flying cashmere gobbling insects?!x
ReplyDeleteOh Karl, with your creepy over-filled mouth, elastoplast skin and square little embellished paws, you really give me the heebie jeebies.
ReplyDeleteKarl has more than a whiff of James Bond villain about him.
I LOVE the dancers! It's like KL Morris. What do they call themselves?
What I was able to gather from this post, and what I agree on, is that white jeans are very much ok, but NOT for everyone.
ReplyDeletePlease take a close look in the mirror, before you decide buying a pair of them.
Just because something is " in ", does not mean, that we all have to have it!
Oh Punctured Bicycle you are cruel!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading about this...but I think I would fall on Ines's side.
ReplyDeleteI do wish though that someone would come up with stiff, but feminine collars for women.
ReplyDeleteOops, I didn't mean to be cruel. I just find his personal style... perplexing. And sinister. Sorry Karl. :-(
ReplyDeleteVery thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you say about being careful when buying from the range. Karls look is good on Karl. Not sure about it on me. Xxxx
ReplyDeletepuncturedbicycle - sometimes you've gotta be cruel to be kind. And the Kaiser does look cartoon-ish.
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