As the fashion world doves into May, an iconic figure draped in shades of black and white is everywhere you look. The legend of Karl Lagerfeld is celebrated and scrutinized this month even after his passing. From Chanel catwalks to obituaries, there is no shortage of admiration and homage paid to the fashion icon. But, is the adoration bestowed this month deserved? We explore the controversy surrounding what May may have become – the month of Karl Lagerfeld.
1. “Tribute or Takeover? Celebrating Karl Lagerfeld in May”
The world of fashion responded in mourning and admiration when Karl Lagerfeld sadly passed away in February 2019. May saw numerous tributes to the fashion mogul in the forms of special collections, magazine articles and all manner of online tribute. It’s been a time of veneration and remembrance of one of fashion’s most innovative and iconic names.
The fashion world has seen a myriad of celebratory tributes to Karl this month, including:
- The Chanel Cruise 2020 Show in Capri: Chanel opened their Cruise 2020 show with their usual “tribute to Karl” complete with live piano rendition and audiovisual montage.
- Iconic May Issue of Vogue Magazine: Vogue Magazine dedicated the May 2019 issue to Karl, with a touching front cover featuring model Kaia Gerber.
- Invincible Summer exhibition in Paris: The Grand Palais mounted an exhibition with over 400 of his photographs, as well as a selection of sketches and archival material from his private collection.
It’s clear that the fashion world will always remember Lagerfeld, however, the question remains: who will take the reins and fill the sartorial legacy? As the tributes continue and Karl’s disappearing persona leaves a gaping fashion void, only time will tell.
2. Examining the Legacy of Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld, the late Chanel designer, was a revolutionary force within the fashion industry. He transformed the craft into a spectacle, reinventing classics elements of the wardrobe, such as tweed blazers and little black dresses. His signature aesthetic was iconic – playful yet sophisticated and always attuned to the zeitgeist.
Lagerfeld’s legacy is one of sartorial innovation and sensory enchantment. Through his designs, he tapped into the everlasting desire of audiences to escape reality and experience something thrilling. His collections celebrated the power of imagination and presented bold, daring visions for the fashion industry. He was lauded for his ability to bring a dreamlike quality to high fashion, merging fantasy with haute couture.
- Sophisticated Elegance: Lagerfeld’s signature style shook up the status quo, bringing a touch of flair to the essentials of the wardrobe.
- The Art of Transformation: Lagerfeld reinvented the fashion industry, appreciating the infinite possibilities of sartorial innovation.
- Dreamlike Quality: His designs presented an escape to fantasy, defying reality with awe-inspiring couture.
3. “What Would Karl Lagerfeld Think Today?”
Karl Lagerfeld was a fashion icon who worked in Paris as a couture designer for over 60 years. The notable fashion designer was well-known for his unique and opinionated style. It’s only natural to wonder what Karl Lagerfeld would think of today’s fashion trends.
Karl Lagerfeld had a wide, culturally diverse taste and an appreciation for the classics. Haute couture was his focus and although he worked with other brands, this was always where he felt most at home. There’s no doubt that silhouette and craftsmanship would have been important factors when viewing today’s fashion trends.
That being said – Karl Lagerfeld was also unafraid to be brave and eccentric when it came to reshaping fashion. He had a keen eye and an ability to think of the long-term success of particular styles. No doubt Karl Lagerfeld would embrace trends such as:
- Prints – from vibrant florals and geometric shapes, to bold animal prints, there is an endless array of captivating patterns available.
- Thrifted finds – vintage, upcycled items are gaining more and more momentum, and Karl Lagerfeld may have been just as excited about this as the rest of us.
- Gender blur – fashion is moving more towards genderless dressing and Karl Lagerfeld may have appreciated this concept of style freedom.
4. Will May become an Annual Tribute to Karl Lagerfeld’s Legacy?
Karl Lagerfeld’s legacy has been celebrated in a plethora of different ways. His work and life have been admired by many and will undoubtedly remain part of our collective memory long after his passing. But one of the most poignant tributes to his lifetime of work may yet be to come: will May become an annual tribute to Lagerfeld’s life and work?
The Possibility of May as a Tribute Month
There may be good reason to consider making May an annual tribute month to Lagerfeld. Every year, he completed collections that were released in May, marking the end of a full season of work — featuring a line of signature styles, accessories and silks not seen before — that he had created over that year. As a symbol of a year-long effort, it is certainly an excellent time to mark his memory and celebrations of his life.
Moreover, while many global events have been cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, making May an official tribute to Karl Lagerfeld provides a unique platform for the continuing celebration of his incredible life’s work. There could be a number of events created, such as:
- Retrospective exhibitions
- Charity fashion shows
- Runway shows that showcase the Lagerfeld signature from multiple eras of his career.
Each of these events could draw on the strong spirit of celebrating Karl’s design legacy, and could help forge the path ahead for the fashion industry as it forces itself to move forward in the new global landscape. Karl Lagerfeld’s career has had a lasting impact, and there’s no question that his legacy will continue well beyond May. There’s no denying the significance he’s had in a variety of realms, but how that legacy is remembered is still being discussed. May may be Karl Lagerfeld’s month, but whether he deserves it is still up for debate.
