Karl Lagerfeld for H&M Preview
Luxe for less (insert squeal here!)
NEW YORK - Thursday, November 04, 2004
After months of anticipation, Karl Lagerfeld’s designs will descend upon H&Ms worldwide next Thursday, November 12, and fashion hounds everywhere can rest assured the collection is pure Karl. Infusing his signature style into dresses, jeans, tees, camis, blazers, coats, accessories and even a unisex fragrance, the line is modern, elegant and cheap! As to just how inexpensive we’re talking, the price points range from a low of $19.90 to a high of $149 for his wool coat—which translates into owning a piece (or several) of his black and white (and the occasional plum) must-haves for practically pennies.
“Design is very important and design is not a question of price only,” says the legendary couturier. “I have done for H&M what I do for Chanel, Fendi and Lagerfeld Gallery…H&M has made inexpensive desirable. Today, this is fashion.”
Top picks in the collection for women include a dazzling black sequined blazer that would look equally brilliant with jeans or black pants, a romantic black silk georgette blouse, a silk taffeta and organza shift dress that we could’ve sworn we saw in a Chanel boutique (but costs less than the tax on the real thing!), a plum viscose jersey top with pearl detailing and ruffled straps, and of course, the perfect slim-fit, body-hugging, designer jeans.
Men were not excluded from Lagerfeld’s luxe for less, and will be excited to find exquisitely tailored blazers (our pick has a corduroy collar), button-downs for evening with fine stripe details and large cuffs, and a number of merino cardigans and turtlenecks in black, white and plum.
There is one bag included in the collection—a black leather messenger—but it bares no resemblance to a Chanel. There are also sunglasses, leather gloves, belts, a slim tie, a pearl and black velvet choker for women and a variety of rings for men (that the designer himself wears around his neck).
With 50 pieces in total, the collection is small in size but massive in terms of importance. Sources at H&M say they expect the line to sell out within its first three days, so make sure to get on over there early and grab if you must. All’s fair, after all, in Lagerfeld and war!
KAREN NEWMAN
@ the misleading campaign...louis vuitton choker, christian louboutin heels, dior homme rings...i dont think im gonna bother with this any more. 80 POUNDS for the jacket?
who knows if I'll buy anything, but I want to decide for myself. 
And that a load of gucci hoochie will probally buy it. 
