Video: Karl Lagerfeld's Post Apocalyptic Chanel Show
Posted on March 8, 2011
Karl Lagerfeld has this gift for sensing the zeitgeist of the future. His fall 2011 ready to wear show didn't look like any one else's collection. This was a new side of Karl -- post-Apocalyptic Karl, if you will. And it was fabulous.
The Grand Palais was transformed into a bleak set that featured a runway made of wooden planks surrounded by gray ash and volcanic rocks that still steamed from what must have been a devastating eruption of some fiery Mount Doom.
The collection was dark, edgy and youthful. It was also very wearable and is going to sell like crazy. The colors were black, gray and white and that's pretty much it. Oh there were a few jewel toned touches, but the stars here were black and gray, perfect for a world gone mad with revolutions in full swing in the Middle East, skyrocketing oil prices and a precarious economy. Models walked the runway to the sounds of The Cure. They wore Chanel cardigans and jackets which Karl re-cut into interesting shapes, menswear-style formal trousers with the hems rolled up and longer shirts. More casual looks included skinny black jeans and leggings, fantastic flat heeled black boots, large grey sweaters and sweater dresses.
Less successful were the jumpsuits which were made for day and for evening. Jumpsuits aside, it was a stunning collection.