Karl Lagerfeld's approach to fashion sales was unparalleled. Unlike many designers who preferred to stay in their ivory tower, he was keenly interested in knowing how his work was being received by the public. This practicality and respect for the customer distinguished him from his contemporaries. As Chanel's creative director, Lagerfeld made a significant impact on the brand's collections. His ability to reimagine iconic designs, such as the two-tone slingback, set him apart.
While Coco Chanel had popularized the design in 1957, Lagerfeld took it to new heights by reinterpreting it as a ballet flat, a style that would later be adopted by the high street. Lagerfeld's innovative approach was not limited to the two-tone slingback. He also reimagined Coco Chanel's bouclé wool jacket, transforming it from a calf-grazing... monochrome design to a miniskirt suit in bubblegum pastel hues.
This move was a deliberate departure from the classic design, driven by his desire to modernize the classic look. Lagerfeld's reimagining of iconic designs wasn't driven by a desire to emulate his predecessors but rather to make the designs relevant to the modern era. His ability to evolve and adapt was instrumental in the brand's enduring success.
According to Tom Ford, a fellow designer... Lagerfeld's approach to fashion was not about creating a signature style but rather about understanding the customer and producing designs that would sell. This pragmatic approach to design was a hallmark of Lagerfeld's career and played a significant role in his long-term success. As reported by The Telegraph, Lagerfeld's influence on fashion is still seen today, and his designs remain an integral part of Chanel's repertoire. His ability to reimagine iconic designs, "combine striking contrasts," "and push boundaries made him one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century."
Source: See hereThe Five Items In Your Wardrobe For Which You Have Karl Lagerfeld To Thank
• Karl Lagerfeld was interested in sales and customer feedback, rather than stay in his ivory tower. He believed fashion was "applied art" made to be sold and was pragmatic in his approach. 2. Lagerfeld's longevity and versatility set him apart from other designers. He worked for 65 years with multiple houses, and his designs didn't have a singular style, unlike other designers who only made one iconic contribution. 3. Lagerfeld reimagined Coco Chanel's signature designs, such as the two-tone slingback and bouclé wool jacket, giving them modern twists. He transformed the two-tone slingback into a ballet flat and the bouclé wool jacket into a miniskirt suit with bubblegum pastel hues. 4. Lagerfeld's designs have had a lasting impact on fashion, with his reinterpretations of classic designs being adopted by the high street and remaining iconic to this day.
Karl Lagerfeld was a renowned German fashion designer, stylist, and photographer. He is best known for his work as the creative director of Chanel and Fendi. Throughout his 65-year career, Lagerfeld demonstrated a strong commitment to understanding his audience and responding to their needs. He was a pragmatic designer who believed that fashion was meant to be sold, not just viewed as a form of high art. One of Lagerfeld's most notable achievements was his reinterpretation of Coco Chanel's iconic designs.
He reimagined the bouclé wool jacket as part of a skirt suit, using bubblegum pastel hues and a miniskirt instead of the traditional calf-grazing length. Lagerfeld's work at Chanel also included the introduction of the ballet flat... which was launched as part of the spring → summer 1984 collection. This style paid homage to Chanel's passion for the Ballets Russes and has since become a staple of high street fashion.
In addition to his work at Chanel, Lagerfeld held positions at various other fashion houses, including Jean Patou, where he was heavily critiqued by the press for his abbreviated hemlines. However, he continued to push boundaries throughout his career, "never becoming complacent or stagnant." Lagerfeld's influence on the fashion industry cannot be overstated.
His longevity, "versatility.".. and commitment to understanding his audience made him one of the most respected and successful designers of his time.
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This extended to his interest in sales, always keen to know how his work was being received, rather than sitting in an ivory tower. “It was important for him to know that his collections were reaching people. He really had respect for the customer,” continues Middleton. “He was very clear that fashion was applied art, it was something that was made to be sold.◆◌••●◆
He was really pragmatic.” His longevity, too, is of course important when considering how influential he has been, but he wasn't a one-trick pony by any means. “He worked for so long, for 65 years and for so many different houses, but there's no singular Karl Lagerfeld style,” concludes Middleton. “There are some designers that have one design or one contribution, but that wasn't Lagerfeld's thing.”
