Following Karl Lagerfeld's last Fendi show at Milan Fashion Week, all eyes were on Chanel today as the fashion house bid farewell to its designer. For AW19, it worked its magic yet again by transforming the Grand Palais into snowy chalet scene which summed up Karl's creative genius (let us not forget the supermarket, space station, waterfall, beach, forest...).
Muses old and new were there to bid him farewell: Claudia, Naomi, Cara, Marion, Kristen... and needless to say the venue was packed. But the buzzing stopped just before the show as a minute's silence was held.
Our editor-in-chief Trish Halpin says, 'There were gentle bells and then silence, before a clip of Karl talking about how fashion had the power to transform women was played.'
On seats was a card illustrated with Karl and Coco Chanel, with the words 'The beat goes on'. Then the show opened with Cara Delevingne, who had a very close relationship with the designer. She recently wrote, 'He changed my life, he believed in me when so many others didn’t including myself.'
Then came Penelope Cruz, in a faux fur white skirt and holding a white rose. The collection was perhaps all the more poignant in that it was very Karl, and very Chanel. There were tweed checked suits, hats and blazers, all in the signature monochrome palette the designer chose for his own uniform.
The most poignant moment came with the finale, where models couldn't contain their emotion.
Trish says, 'David Bowie's Heroes played as the models walked together, and received a standing ovation. It was both respectful and joyful'.
While there won't be a funeral (Karl didn't want one), it is believed there will be a memorial service for the designer in June.
Farewell Karl.
