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Monday, June 06, 2005
Karl: I'll Take Manhattan
By Lisa Lockwood
NEW YORK — Karl Lagerfeld’s dream of designing three different collections in three international cities is about to become a reality, thanks to his growing love affair with lower prices.
“My idea was always New York, Paris and Rome,” said Lagerfeld, describing his design roles for Chanel in Paris; Fendi in Rome, and now a brand-new, less expensive line to be called Karl Lagerfeld, based here.
The line will be introduced in February for fall 2006 retailing and will be priced 50 percent below Lagerfeld Gallery, his designer collection.
“I’m very much into large distribution,” said Lagerfeld, from his expansive new showroom at 601 West 26th Street here. “With haute couture, I proved that I can design the most expensive things, and with H&M, I can do the less expensive things. This will be in the middle of all that.”
According to Acierno, the Lagerfeld line will be geared to the contemporary departments of top-tier department and specialty stores. “It will be young and spirited, with denim, sportswear, Ts, tanks and jackets. It will be a full lifestyle assortment,” she said. She explained that women today like to pair an expensive jacket with an inexpensive tank, but have to run from store to store to put a look together. The new line will be housed near such resources as* Marc by Marc Jacobs and Theory and will offer “more variety and breadth.”
Melanie Ward has been named creative director of Karl Lagerfeld and will collaborate with him on the design. Ward, a former Helmut Lang consultant, continues as senior fashion editor of Harper’s Bazaar. “She has a flawless reputation. People like her, respect her, and she’s modern,” said Lagerfeld.
“This will be accessible fashion for women and men, with a tremendous amount of style,” added Acierno. Pants, for example, will retail for $175; denim, for $150; shorts and shirts, for $100 and up; dresses, for $250; jackets, for $385, and leather outerwear, for $425 and up.
***
“We continue to evolve the Lagerfeld Gallery business,” said Acierno.The collection is produced in France, but Hilfiger is seeking new factories in Italy and Asia. The Lagerfeld Gallery store in Paris* remains open, but the one in Monaco has closed.
Asked to describe the consumer for whom he’ll now be designing, Lagerfeld declined to put that woman into words.
“A designer proposes, and it’s up to people to find it. ... I want it to reflect the energy you find in New York.”
The Lagerfeld line will have a large jeans component. “Life without jeans doesn’t exist anymore. Vintage tops with jeans suddenly becomes modern,” said Lagerfeld.
And does he envision a lot of black in the Lagerfeld line?* Lagerfeld turned to his entourage and a visitor, who were all dressed in black, and replied: “Your question is an answer. I have nothing against color, but look at what everyone’s wearing.”
“I didn’t like the Eighties in New York. Suddenly, the mood is different. It’s the first time I feel at home in New York.” He said he never wanted to have an apartment here and would always go to a hotel, but suddenly, finding a permanent home in Manhattan became a priority. In fact, he recently bought an apartment in Gramercy Park that he’ll move into next year. “The apartment is proof I really wanted to be a part of it,” he said.
Lagerfeld couldn’t say how much time he’ll spend in New York, or in Paris or Rome, for that matter, but he said these days, he can do things through e-mail and can even do fittings via videoconferencing.
excerpt from wwd...
Karl: I'll Take Manhattan
By Lisa Lockwood
NEW YORK — Karl Lagerfeld’s dream of designing three different collections in three international cities is about to become a reality, thanks to his growing love affair with lower prices.
“My idea was always New York, Paris and Rome,” said Lagerfeld, describing his design roles for Chanel in Paris; Fendi in Rome, and now a brand-new, less expensive line to be called Karl Lagerfeld, based here.
The line will be introduced in February for fall 2006 retailing and will be priced 50 percent below Lagerfeld Gallery, his designer collection.
“I’m very much into large distribution,” said Lagerfeld, from his expansive new showroom at 601 West 26th Street here. “With haute couture, I proved that I can design the most expensive things, and with H&M, I can do the less expensive things. This will be in the middle of all that.”
According to Acierno, the Lagerfeld line will be geared to the contemporary departments of top-tier department and specialty stores. “It will be young and spirited, with denim, sportswear, Ts, tanks and jackets. It will be a full lifestyle assortment,” she said. She explained that women today like to pair an expensive jacket with an inexpensive tank, but have to run from store to store to put a look together. The new line will be housed near such resources as* Marc by Marc Jacobs and Theory and will offer “more variety and breadth.”
Melanie Ward has been named creative director of Karl Lagerfeld and will collaborate with him on the design. Ward, a former Helmut Lang consultant, continues as senior fashion editor of Harper’s Bazaar. “She has a flawless reputation. People like her, respect her, and she’s modern,” said Lagerfeld.
“This will be accessible fashion for women and men, with a tremendous amount of style,” added Acierno. Pants, for example, will retail for $175; denim, for $150; shorts and shirts, for $100 and up; dresses, for $250; jackets, for $385, and leather outerwear, for $425 and up.
***
“We continue to evolve the Lagerfeld Gallery business,” said Acierno.The collection is produced in France, but Hilfiger is seeking new factories in Italy and Asia. The Lagerfeld Gallery store in Paris* remains open, but the one in Monaco has closed.
Asked to describe the consumer for whom he’ll now be designing, Lagerfeld declined to put that woman into words.
“A designer proposes, and it’s up to people to find it. ... I want it to reflect the energy you find in New York.”
The Lagerfeld line will have a large jeans component. “Life without jeans doesn’t exist anymore. Vintage tops with jeans suddenly becomes modern,” said Lagerfeld.
And does he envision a lot of black in the Lagerfeld line?* Lagerfeld turned to his entourage and a visitor, who were all dressed in black, and replied: “Your question is an answer. I have nothing against color, but look at what everyone’s wearing.”
“I didn’t like the Eighties in New York. Suddenly, the mood is different. It’s the first time I feel at home in New York.” He said he never wanted to have an apartment here and would always go to a hotel, but suddenly, finding a permanent home in Manhattan became a priority. In fact, he recently bought an apartment in Gramercy Park that he’ll move into next year. “The apartment is proof I really wanted to be a part of it,” he said.
Lagerfeld couldn’t say how much time he’ll spend in New York, or in Paris or Rome, for that matter, but he said these days, he can do things through e-mail and can even do fittings via videoconferencing.
excerpt from wwd...
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