Karl Lagerfeld lost his mind, brought ‘People of Walmart’ chic to Paris Chanel show

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Bedhead covered some of the fashion girls at the Chanel show yesterday – go here to see. Keira Knightley and Rihanna were wearing the new Chanel “illusion dresses” that make their waists look crazy small. So, people are talking about that. But they’re also talking about how Karl Lagerfeld has lost his damn mind. Lagerfeld decided to show his Fall/Winter collection at the Grand Palais. Obvious enough choice, right? Right. But Lagerfeld had the Grand Palais transformed into the Chanel supermarket. Because, darling, supermarkets are ART. They are chic, my love. You do not even understand.

Personally, I kind of think Lagerfeld is trolling the fashion community with this crap. Look at Cara Delevingne, wearing Chanel ready-to-wear. That’s like Lagerfeld’s take on People of Walmart. It’s patronizing and funny all at once, because you know fashion people are going to eat it up. Ratty pink sweatpants are IN because Karl Lagerfeld has decreed it. Shopping in grocery stores, how artsy!

Most designers try to make consumers dream at their fashion shows, but Karl Lagerfeld sought to bring them back into real life by presenting his latest collection in a spoof Chanel supermarket.

Paris’ prestigious Grand Palais, where the French brand traditionally hosts its glamorous shows, was filled with endless rows of Chanel-branded pasta, cheeses, sauces, detergents and other products of daily life created solely for the occasion.

“For me the supermarket is the pop art of today,” Lagerfeld said on Tuesday after the show, admitting he rarely went to supermarkets himself.

Pushing brightly colored trolleys and pretending to exchange gossip, models picked up products with tongue-in-cheek labels such as Coco beer bottles, Chateau Gabrielle white wine and Chanel – or creamoo – milk. Others carried metallic baskets adorned with Chanel’s iconic handbag chains.

The designer’s new autumn/winter collection was full of oversized tweed jackets worn over shiny pencil-thin pants complete with flashy sneakers, also spotted at January’s haute couture show. Some models wore comfortable-looking orange woolen jogging suits and fluorescent pink shredded leggings.

Speakers spat out loud pop music, interrupted by public announcements such as “the young Marine is waiting for her parents at the cashiers” or “Mrs Martin is requested at the fresh foods department”.

Lagerfeld said Chanel had created more than 500 different labels and put more than 100,000 items on display, some of which would be later given to charity. No cost or detail was spared to create the atmosphere of a typical French supermarket such as Carrefour.

Hanging over the white aisles, some giant yellow signs offered 20 percent discounts while others said: “the DIY department is open on Sundays,” pointing to recent controversy in France over allowing DIY shops to trade on Sundays. Once the show was over, many members of the audience furiously seized Chanel food products from the shelves.

“The supermarket concept was brilliant as it put fashion into real life,” French actress and singer Vanessa Paradis, previously the face of Chanel’s Coco perfume and lipstick, told Reuters after the show.

Lagerfeld, who turned 80 last year and has spent three decades at Chanel’s helm, is credited with having regularly infused fresh life into the brand to keep it modern and in tune with its times while remaining faithful to its heritage.

“It is not because you buy Chanel clothes that you should not be allowed into the supermarket,” Lagerfeld said after exchanging hugs and kisses with his A-lists guests such as singer Rihanna and actress Keira Knightley.

[From The Chicago Tribune]

I have to ask… has Karl Lagerfeld been to a real grocery store in the past three decades? I’m seriously asking. But even though I’m pretty sure Lagerfeld is trolling everybody, I do kind of think all of the Chanel-labeled food items are cool. Like, I can see why there was a riot over that stuff. I wouldn’t mind a Chanel-brand pasta or something. Chanel tampons? Chanel donuts?

PS… I still don’t get why Cara is a thing. She is the most overrated “It Model” since Agyness Deyn.

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Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.

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84 Responses to “Karl Lagerfeld lost his mind, brought ‘People of Walmart’ chic to Paris Chanel show”

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  1. AK says:

    It’s Derelicte!

  2. LadyMTL says:

    The idea of Chanel tampons is making me laugh so hard. I wonder if Choupette uses Chanel-brand cat litter?

    I think this idea was really funny but also quite patronizing…but then again, this IS Karl Lagerfeld we’re talking about.

    • Malificent says:

      I wonder if Karl has been to a pet store? Do you think he personally supervises the purchase of Choupette’s cat toys? I’m sure he has a minion push the cart, but I picture him wearing one of his everyday cashmere coats, holding Choupette up to see the hamsters and fish.

      • LadyMTL says:

        Oh man, I can only hope that he does! It’s such an amazing visual, isn’t it? Karl holding up Choupette to see which squeaky toy she prefers, or if she wants the silver-colored hairbrush or the black one?

        Honestly though, the pet store probably just sends a truck load of stuff to his apartment and they “shop” that way. Sigh.

  3. eliza says:

    I do not get the Cara Delawhatever hype. She is average at best.

    I would rather see Lagerfeld and Choupette.

    • harpreet says:

      I completely agree! Cara, her sister Poppy, and Suki Waterhouse are really over-appreciated as models. It is weird that the Brits are obsessed when rich aristocratic white girls take up modelling!

      Then there are those like Jourdann who are stunning but have to work so much harder.

    • Carolyn says:

      me too. Aus Vogue adores her & Karlie Kloss. They’re both average…substitute any model and the photo outcome would be the same (shrugs shoulders).

      Imagine Karl announcing to his minions his grand vision of a supermarket. Raised eyebrows for a microsecond and then “oui Karl you are le genius, non?”. Don’t they just agree with everything he wants?

      Karl’s quality has slipped these couple of years. Nothing as good as his cruise line of 2009-10. Youtube it and compare it to this krap.

  4. Dani2 says:

    Most ridiculous runway look he’s served up so far. And that’s really saying something, he’s served up a lot of ridiculous in the last five years or so imo.

    • gefeylich says:

      Yeah. But I suppose this was the natural downward progression after he worked with the Queen of the People of WalMart, Kim Kardashian.

      And yeah, either he’s totally lost all of his ideas or he’s lost his mind.

    • John Wayne Lives says:

      Yeah this is really dumb

  5. paola says:

    Tha pic of Cara and Karl holding hands is utterly ridicolous. Plus Chanel is one step behind.. they should do a Chanel mooncup instead of tampons. tampons are no eco friendly. I would buy a Chanel mooncup though 😀

  6. freebunny says:

    That’s funny and he’s totally trolling.
    Don’t get the Cara appeal at all.

  7. capepopsie says:

    Biker gloves ?. . .

  8. Muffy says:

    OMG I thought she was a drag queen, yikes!

  9. Lark says:

    I find it hilarious that the fashion people are eating this up. It’s hilarious, but condescending at the same time. As much as a nutcase as he is, I can at least semi-appreciate that he tries to be original. I also dig the tweed coat Cara is wearing over her designer Walmart outfit.

  10. blue marie says:

    Yeah, I don’t get Cara either but is that a bungee cord around her belly?

  11. BendyWindy says:

    I don’t mind the ratty pink pants. It’s the ridiculous midriff baring top and schlubby tweed coat that are too much for me.

  12. bns says:

    LOL

  13. doofus says:

    yeah, she looks like a Dr. Seuss character. and while I know thicker eyebrows are “in”, hers always remind me of Maggie Simpson’s arch nemesis.

    http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Gerald_Samson?file=Gerald_Samson_%2528Official_Image%2529.png

  14. emmie_a says:

    I loved the Chanel show. Absolutely loved how fun and original it was. …And I read an interview yesterday where Karl said that he hasn’t gone shopping in years. He doesn’t need to w/the Internet. But I’d die to see him at WalMart on Black Friday!

  15. The Original G says:

    I love it as performance art. Love it. Mocking his customers. Love it.

  16. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    I think it’s sort of cute?

  17. Amanda (@BitingPanda) says:

    Oh yes, more insanely wealthy making fun of the poor and lower class. Delightful. How charming.

    • The Original G says:

      No, I think he’s making fun of people who will buy anything with a designer label on it. Quite subversive.

    • emmie_a says:

      But how is this making fun of the poor? Almost everyone goes to the market, even the rich.

      • Amanda (@BitingPanda) says:

        Hmmmmm. Okay. I will consider the “Subversive” “Emperor’s New Clothes” angle but I don’t know that I buy into it completely.

        To me, I still take away, the message of “I’ve got it so good, I dress “poor” for shits and giggles. Homeless chic, darlings! Aren’t these sweat pants a hoot? Can you IMAGINE!” Sort of like ironic dressing hipsters, but meaner.

        I guess I have a chip on my shoulder and I am filtering this through my own perceptions and experiences. I’ve never known Uncle Karl to be witty or to have a sense of humor about his clothing, his muses, or his ridiculously expensive world.

      • The Original G says:

        Oh….I didn’t say that everyone who attended this event “got it.” I’m sure a bunch of them will be displaying Chanel tampons in their powder rooms and Kim and Kanye will wear matching distressed sweats at the White House Correspondents Dinner.

        I also, believe Karl has a sense of humour. But that’s me.

        Anyone who understands the Chanel aesthetic can duplicate it within their own budget. Good design is for everyone. Designer goods, sadly not. But you can’t buy taste or class.

      • Amber says:

        I see why you could think that Amanda (@BitingPanda). People up-thread were joking about Derelicte. Well that joke in the movie was inspired–not even inspired–directly taken from a collection that Galliano did in 2000 that was indeed inspired by the homeless. So this wouldn’t be the first time that the fashion industry was completely tone deaf about such things. I do think Lagerfeld is taking the piss though. He’s been stunting and doing crap like this (Lego handbag, anyone) for years now. He’s the most upfront, major figure in the business that’s the most honest about simply seeing what he can get away with. The answer is obviously everything and anything. He’s not exactly brave or really risking much of anything other than doing damage to the Chanel brand. But that can easily be restored after his exit and I imagine sales are great and that’s all that matters to them really. Along with celebs, top models and magazine editors supporting this stuff. Would we be talking about this collection if it was just pretty and tasteful? Score for Karl.

  18. Felice says:

    At least I can know for sure now that Cara is not as tall as her comp card says. I unironically loved the show….for its irony. But as someone on tumblr eloquently said, “They could paint the Chanel symbol in s*** and you guys would eat it up”

  19. ViktoryGin says:

    Hmm. I perceive it as satirizing the prentiousness of haute couture and people who are slaves to fashion in general. Like you could put a dress literally made of shit on the runway and declare it “art” by decree and every vapid socialite-type will fall over themselves in order to get covered in excrement. Because some designer deigned to call it “fashion”. Lagerfeld is as deep as a kitchen sink, but this statement, if this was his statement, (and it may not have been) is a clever one, indeed. The joke is on those that take this shit seriously.

  20. Evi says:

    Lagerfeld likes to take the piss. I watched a doco of him walking through flea markets and his eyes stopped at a stall that sold bags and he picked one up and said that something like a simple and stupid bag – he used the words simple and stupid – could be redesigned [by him and a Chanel logo added to it] and sold for thousands.
    And this is what he is doing here. He just likes pushing the limits to see how many fashion victims will buy and guess what? They buy in droves. That coat Cara is wearing his hideous, as is the rest of her outfit, but there are plenty of rich kids in rising economies that will pay so they can show off their Chanel taste or the lack of it.

  21. ToodySezHey says:

    Kunty Karl troll level: Jedi Master

  22. Carolin says:

    Karl rocks. A few months ago I saw a very long interview with him were he told about his life and his fashion – he kept drawing pictures of dresses and such while talking, just a few strokes of black marker and a whole look came to life. Incredible!

  23. Nev says:

    Kendall Jenner walked in the show too!!!

  24. littlestar says:

    100% agree on Cara Delevingne.

  25. Adaohbee says:

    He is not making fun of anybody, he is simply trying to pass the message that one can be very chic while doing normal stuff and what can be more ‘normal’ than going to the grocery store? His message is simply that Chanel is not just for special occasions nor is it just for celebrities but for every body including normal every day people doing normal everyday things. You can be very chic while doing mundane things like grocery shopping. Long story short, he is trying to appeal to a wider audience and bring Chanel closer to regular folk. He is trying to demystify Chanel, thereby hopefully increase sales.

    • emmie_a says:

      Exactly. I read that was why he put the models in sneakers (gym shoes?? trainers?) — He said women don’t usually wear stiletto’s grocery shopping.

    • ViktoryGin says:

      Sweetie, are you serious? Kunty Karl is many things, but democratic and egalitarian he is not.

      This is a man who minces no words in order to bolster exclusivity and rarefied privilege in the world of fashion

      He’s a snob with aristocratic sensibilities and is not ashamed to tell people to their faces. He does not give a hot damn.

    • Val says:

      Erm… Karl is anything but egalitarian lol. And he makes no apologies for his elitism.

      Oh and the prices of Chanel bags are rising and rising… 70% in the last five years.

      http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/03/chanel-bags-reach-new-levels-of-expensive.html

    • Esmerelda says:

      Adaohbee, I agree.
      The coat is such a marvel, with those perfectly cut sleeves and its draping on the waist, that it looks great even on ratty gym clothes. It’s an affectionate, ironic slap on the wrist for the (nouveau riche?) tasteless ones who would buy EVERYTHING from Chanel… stylish ppl mix and match, normal ppl mix and match! 😉

    • Carolyn says:

      no he’s not. if chanel goes to the level of “retail/normal” outlets it instantly loses it’s cache.

      A lot of aspects of Karl & Chanel and the whole St Tropez/Cannes image are pure eurotrash… it’s $$$ trashy though.

  26. Ana says:

    This collection omg omg omg. I am sooo in love with it.
    Haven’t felt this excited with a Chanel collection in a while.

    But I agree, Cara is hugely overrated!

  27. DaisyDuchess says:

    I have seen cara in person, and she is literally a shrimp. Also, no femininity or elegance. Nothing wrong with that, she just isnt the beauty we are being force-fed.

  28. TheOneandOnlyOnly says:

    Yes daisyduchess, oh for the models of the 80s/90s they are all over the internet on sites like Bellazon and The fashion spot; Why has the industry taken this turn the last dozen years or so; Even models from that era that weren’t considered the supers – susan holmes, shana zadrick, Meghan douglas, chrystelle, Claudia mason, Beverly peele, beri smither, vendela, etc. – blow away shrimpy posers like cara. I don’t understand it – that’s what drew casual observers to notice fashion, not this stuff – though all these comments are great.

  29. Kelly says:

    I love it! He’s crazy and patronizing and up his a** but he’s also brilliant and really good at his job, so I love him for the troll that he is.
    I utterly dislike Cara tho, please can we go back to the 90s supermodels days

  30. I Choose Me says:

    I dig it! And I love Karl Lagerfield in all of his ridiculousness. People like him make the world a bit more interesting I say.

  31. mj says:

    I have a legit question (no snark): who do you think some of the best currently working runway models are? I know, I know, we’re no longer in the age of true super model. And please, none of the Angels. Like, fashion models. Because while I don’t get it with Cara and Suki (except their look is trending and they’re tall and very thin), I can’t name a single working model I like.

    • Denise says:

      I can’t either. I miss Gemma Ward and Sasha Pivovarova. And Freja and Lara. There were some good ones since the supers but today is just blah.

    • aish says:

      Cara is overrated as hell but at least she can take some impressive editorial. Suki is so forgettable for the life of me i can nvr understand how she could be a model.

      There are many talented and good working models currently but has no name recognition like these overrated trolls. To name a few; Jac Jagaciak, Marine Deleeuw, Kati Nescher, Josephine Le Tutour etc.

  32. kimbers says:

    I dont get how that look makes rhiRhi and Keira crazy small…they’re crazy small physically and they’d be invisible of they looked smaller…dont give credit to the outfit give it to the ladies for whatever they do. healthy or not they are xxx small.
    Ps kiera is cute but her ribs arent in those oscar night pics

  33. Moi says:

    Maybe he is possibly, simply becoming human now? I think of people such as Karl, if Armageddon were to occur. Fashion is interesting, yet derisive to me. As long as it is an art form and not an expectancy, I’m in. Trends come and go. Being kind and loving; fashion and the most current trend, is way way way below and so unimportant. I think we can all agree that we come from the same scientific makeup. Some luckier than others, yes, that’s basically it.

  34. betsy says:

    If Coco Chanel ever comes back from the dead–she is going to rip this idiot a new a$$hole. He does not design Chanel–he designs COCO LOCO. His reign at Chanel is Zoolander–complete with a cat that has it’s own Twitter account. Jesus….

  35. rinaz says:

    Nicole Kidman did it first in Stepford Wives

  36. Denise says:

    He hadn’t lost his mind at all, and this had nothing to do with Wal-Mart mentality, quite the opposite. I say this not in fan-girl mode whatsoever but a purely objective eye in terms of the monotony usually found on the runway. Karl Lagerfeld wants to create a unique experience for his clients and the editors. He knows that the ‘ladies who lunch’ clients are pretty much dead, literally, and Chanel needs to appeal to a younger generation. I know, Chanel and young people seem incongruous due to the price of the clothes. But as I once found at show a few years ago, there is no shortage of young girls who come from money or get with money (mostly the former) who keep Chanel in business. It might seem odd to the casual observer, but when you see the same format over and over, girl walks down runway, camera flash, walks back, repeat, this is something really cool.

  37. Lucy says:

    The emperor has NO clothes! People, this is an absurd line! Leggings with holes! It is not visionary, it is a JOKE!