Fashion

Sneak Peek: Karl Lagerfeld for Macy’s? Yes in Stores Aug. 31st

By Mary Hall | July 22, 2011

Pictured: A Karl Lagerfeld dress, very sixties looking to me, from his Macy’s collection.

Yes, it’s true and the sketches have been released. Lagerfeld is going to Macy’s to sell fashions, but not from Chanel As we say in Los Angeles, “He’s on his journey.” The Lagerfeld journey goes from Diet Coke bottles to Macy’s, and that is a long way from Chanel. Announcing the the Karl Lagerfeld for Macy’s Impulse collection, in stores on August 31st at 235 Macy’s, as well as online. Priced from $50 to $170, the 45-piece capsule collection will bring the Lagerfeld designs to a wider audience: the non luxury buyer.

In 2004, the Chanel creative director worked with with budget retailer H&M on a limited a “bridge collection.” He later indicated he wasn’t exactly happy with the results. Of course, he was probably unhappy all the way to the bank. I remember reading in the foreign press that he was upset that H&M didn’t stock his collection for more than one day, so that it really was accessible to all. He was also a bit snobbish about his designs being made available in larger sizes.

“It was great to work with the people at H&M as we all helped each other to make it a success,” he told German magazine Stern in 2004. “But the incomprehensible decisions of the management in Stockholm have taken away any desire to do it again. They did not make the clothes in sufficient quantities. I find it embarrassing that H&M let down so many people… I don’t think that is very kind, especially for people in small towns and countries in eastern Europe. It is snobbery created by anti-snobbery.” He also told Stern magazine that he didn’t like his designs being made available in mass market sizes (think 12/14 US, 44/46 Euro) “What I designed was fashion for slender and slim people,” said the designer. “That was the original idea.” Talk about snobbery. I own a few of those pieces, thanks to eBay, and they are very elegant. I still wear the black tie blouse with my Chanel pearls. I reckon that Macy’s will make the Lagerfeld Impulse collection at least go up to size 12.

Pictured: Lagerfeld for Macy’s Leather Vest.

KL’s Impulse collection “aimed at 24-to 30-year-olds, will include Lagerfeld’s signatures including tweed, statement jackets and dresses,” WWD reports. Look for Karl Lagerfeld to be at Macy’s Herald Square in early September with an in-person appearance. I’m not sure he ever appeared at H&M in store, so this should be interesting.