Lagerfeld leaving Chanel?

Rumours are rife that fashion’s king Karl Lagerfeld may soon be departing the hallowed House of Chanel and, although they have been hosed down by the company, speculation has been reignited by the news that Lagerfeld will be relaunching his own brand in the new year.

Lagerfeld, who has been head designer at Chanel for nearly 30 years, will launch two lines of menswear, womenswear and accessories. The label “Karl” will launch on 25 January featuring about 100 items priced between €60 (about $80) and €300 (about $400) to buy on the internet at fashionista favourite website net-a-porter.com. 

Meanwhile, “Karl Lagerfeld Paris”, a label featuring items costing between €300 ($400) and €1500 (just over $2000), will launch a few months later.

The letter “K” will feature prominently, as well as an immediately recognisable silhouette of the designer in his trademark black glasses. “We are working on a lot of amazing ideas which are all about making luxury affordable and accessible. I’m very excited about bringing this vision to life with this brand,” was all that Lagerfeld would say about his latest venture. It appears he has been working on the brand for some time, after leaving it dormant for a year,

with a new president appointed in August. 

According to the new chief Pier Paolo Righi, “it’s a great opportunity”. “It’s a great global name with a global reach that talks to every age group from China to South America,” which perhaps explains the strategy to sell the line on the internet (and net-a-porter already has a growing customer). “Let’s untap this opportunity from a business aspect and a brand aspect,” says Righi, who used to work for US label Tommy Hilfiger. He says the brand wants to be as iconic as Lagerfeld’s own persona, signified by his high Lagerfeld relaunches white collars, ponytail and sunglasses. “And ironic also, he’s always having fun. He’s cultured, very literate and cross-cultural. We’re working with the clear idea that the world of luxury cannot stay with people who have lots of money, the appeal of luxurious fashion needs to go broader,” Righi says. “We believe that over the next four to five years, the accessories business can go even beyond the apparel business, the market is here for bags, footwear, jewellery and watches.”