It is unknown to what exactly Karl Lagerfeld’s design process is, but this is what is known.
Twice a year, in the span of two months, Karl Lagerfeld presents four new collections: Chanel couture in January and, a month later, ready-to-wear for Fendi, Chanel, and his own Karl Lagerfeld label. And each collection has its own, distinct point of view.
Karl Lagerfeld is constantly designing, as he works for multiple fashion houses. He is known to have made over 200 unique design sketches in under a 12-hour period. Karl says that learning is his only influence in his designing, and there are no rules.
The sketches are sent out and copies are made for fittings for the models.
About a week before the fashion show, Karl Lagerfeld photographs a press kit. It is a dress rehearsal for the hair and makeup teams, as well as the studio with the clothing and the shoes. Most of the important looks are often not ready then. A week before is a long time in dressmaking, but it’s important to do the photos to see where they are in the process. Each model has two days in which they have their final fittings and hair and makeup tests, and polaroids taken for the running order.
People Karl really likes and respect come in and say their own opinion on the pieces. They are allowed to say what they like and don’t like, and who have their own opinion about fashion, style, or looks.
After every day, Karl comes to visit the set, and in the last 24 hours before the show he makes his final touches on it.
Karl Lagerfeld has never cancelled a show, and although the last 24 hours are crazy, he has always managed to stay calm and he says ‘he never gets stressed’.
Twice a year, in the span of two months, Karl Lagerfeld presents four new collections: Chanel couture in January and, a month later, ready-to-wear for Fendi, Chanel, and his own Karl Lagerfeld label. And each collection has its own, distinct point of view.
Karl Lagerfeld is constantly designing, as he works for multiple fashion houses. He is known to have made over 200 unique design sketches in under a 12-hour period. Karl says that learning is his only influence in his designing, and there are no rules.
The sketches are sent out and copies are made for fittings for the models.
About a week before the fashion show, Karl Lagerfeld photographs a press kit. It is a dress rehearsal for the hair and makeup teams, as well as the studio with the clothing and the shoes. Most of the important looks are often not ready then. A week before is a long time in dressmaking, but it’s important to do the photos to see where they are in the process. Each model has two days in which they have their final fittings and hair and makeup tests, and polaroids taken for the running order.
People Karl really likes and respect come in and say their own opinion on the pieces. They are allowed to say what they like and don’t like, and who have their own opinion about fashion, style, or looks.
After every day, Karl comes to visit the set, and in the last 24 hours before the show he makes his final touches on it.
Karl Lagerfeld has never cancelled a show, and although the last 24 hours are crazy, he has always managed to stay calm and he says ‘he never gets stressed’.