Italy, Dec 09: Karl Lagerfeld's Spring ready-to-wear collection showcased his talent for making lust-worthy modern versions of Coco’s classics. The accessories, meanwhile, demonstrate his knack for bestowing Chanel-chic status on the everyday. How about a bag in the form of a Rubik’s Cube, crafted from mini squares of leather in many colors? Or a small plastic clutch that mimics a videotape case? There are flat disc-shaped bags, made to look like old vinyl records, and super-soft calfskin numbers that close with a double C–stamped billiard ball. All these fun ideas are also shrunk down to charm proportions and attached to long, jangling necklaces—best worn, as Lagerfeld showed them on the runway, in multiples. More serious collectibles include the house’s signature quilted bags, this season in white and scarlet snake, their chain handles made thicker and woven with leather.
In fact, the shoe collection is a reminder of how soberly elegant Lagerfeld can be. There are polite pumps with long satin laces that cross and tie, like toe shoes, around the ankle, and there are sandals that have a new thick tube heel, ornamented with crisply turned bows and decadently lined in quilted satin. The designer couldn’t resist one last pun, which came by way of a Tennis Court pump, rendered with scaled-down tennis ball and green-net heel. For real sportswear, however, there’s the ever expanding sport line, which includes Chanel-stamped flip-flops, towels, duffel bags, and even a basketball—the perfect gear for posing in the locker room.
Bureau Report