A moment of silence and a standing ovation for the legendary Karl Lagerfeld’s last Chanel collection.
The fashion world was shocked upon hearing the unexpected passing of Karl Lagerfeld just two weeks ago. Known for notoriously being workaholic, sources close to him said he was working until his last breath. He needed to make sure that everything was set for Fendi and Chanel.
Lo and behold, he left us with a magnificent finale—but a tearful one at that. While he said before in a 2002 profile interview with Vanessa Gregoriadis in New York that he didn’t like funerals, it was still inevitable for the audience and his muses to be emotional.
The Beat Goes On
As the audience entered the Grand Palais, everyone was astonished by another over-the-top transformation of it into a winter wonderland. There were Alpine chalets and in each chimney drifted a smoke. The runway was filled with powdery snow while the long wooden benches were provided for the crowd. In all honesty, it was a picture-perfect scenario as it depicted the luxurious beauty he left. Although, it also represented the bitter frostbite now that he’s gone.
According to the HuffPost, the show notes featured a sketch of Karl Lagerfeld together with Coco Chanel with the words “the beat goes on” written above them. Only after a minute of silence to mark the occasion that was already it. So it was actually like another show where Karl Lagerfeld was only at the backstage, making sure that everything was on point.
One last time
Guests also got to witness Kaiser Karl’s muses strut the runway as a tribute. Actress Penelope Cruz appeared on the runway wearing a pristine white feathery puffball ensemble. As for Cara Delevigne, she donned a white checked jumpsuit accentuated by a plunging neckline.
His longtime favorite models like Amanda Sanchez, Soo Joo Park, Mariacarla Boscono, and Anna Ewers were also all present. And then came the final walk, sadness somehow immediately filled the air—even some of the models were seen wiping their tears.
For one last time, everyone heard Karl’s voice. Played over the speakers inside the exhibition hall was an account of how he first took the impossible feat at Chanel in 1983. “When I was asked a second time, I accepted, because everyone told me don’t do it, it won’t work… It’s the first time that a brand managed to become fashionable again, to turn itself into something desirable,” Karl said in French.
At the emotional final bow, Virginie Viard humbly went out alone this time—allowing Lagerfeld’s absence to be felt even more.
