H&M by Karl Lagerfeld

quote:

King Karl rocks H&M



Top fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld is known for his work at Chanel and Fendi, so it may come as a surprise that his latest collection is for none other than high street label H&M

How did you initially feel about designing a collection for H&M?

I liked the idea because H&M is very modern and has made inexpensive fashion desirable. H&M had the idea to do something with me and when we met it wasn't a big decision. The days when a designer loses his backers because he does a collection for an inexpensive brand are over.

You're used to working with Chanel and Fendi. Is it different designing for a high street brand?

All the jobs I do are very different and that's why it's so exciting. If this were a second-hand Chanel or Fendi collection it wouldn't be interesting - I like the fact that H&M uses another approach. The funny thing is that even Chanel likes the idea of me doing this collection.

What will your collection for H&M incorporate?

I've designed a collection of wardrobe basics including jeans, T-shirts, knits, daywear and even some dresses. There's
something for everyone.

Do you have a favourite piece in the range?

I haven't seen the entire finished collection yet, so it's difficult to say. I designed a turtleneck for girls that everyone can wear and I want it myself, so I'm waiting for that one to come out!

Do you ever wear high street clothes?

The new snobbery is to wear something inexpensive. I saw this in myself when I wore an H&M suit recently. It's a joke, in a way. People assume that what I'm wearing must have come from a certain place, but the H&M suit was perfectly cut, the material was good and even the cuffs were real.

Do you like the idea of mixing high street fashion with designer looks?

Yes. It's like the old Chanel idea of wearing real jewels with fake ones. If you buy expensive clothes only to prove to other people how rich you are, then you're pretty lame. Today, it's more about how chic you are.

The high street makes modern clothes that are for the moment, so even if you're not rich you can be well-dressed.

What makes a person look good?

There has to be a mix of everything: the life, the clothes and the attitude. It's not just one thing, you know. Chic is
a kind of mayonnaise - either it tastes good or it doesn't.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Society ladies are no longer an inspiration, so actresses are a good thing. We live in a period of icons, but the icons
today have another background. They don't have to be princesses - they can be movie stars or they might just be trendy people. What they must do is bring something different and have their own look.

Do you have any new projects in the pipeline?

I love photography. I publish books and even have my own book store. I only publish books that I think are absolutely right, though. They don't have to be my personal taste, but they have to be of the moment. My newest book is a collection
of music performance photography by Hedi Slimane called Stage.

What motivates you?

It's a very simple thing - I like fashion. I like to see the evolution of time. Fashion is a reflection of what's going on in the world -that's why it's interesting. Fashion is the easiest way to visualise the decade and the moment. I'm not interested in the past - I like to go ahead. I always want to see what's next.


jacket, £79.99
dress, £19.99
leggings, £7.99
necklace, £5.99




Karl:
jacket, £79.99
trousers, £34.99
shirt, £29.99
tie, £9.99.

Model:
blazer, £79.99
t-shirt, £9.99
trousers, £29.99
necklace £5.99

quote:

Op donderdag 30 september 2004 22:05 schreef Kyara het volgende:
die prijzen vallen ook reuze mee. Niet veel duurder dan de gemiddelde H&M outfit (omgerekend in euro's).

daar ga ik echt wel de wekker voor zetten.