Last weekend I took a quick trip to Paris because I was invited to the Hogan by Karl Lagerfeld Fall/Winter 2011/12 presentation and party. The event took place at Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild, a beautiful old building in Paris' 8th district. I arrived there at 6, armed with almost all of my brother's photo equipment (... my shoulders) and wearing high heels.
It was as if Milan Fashion Week hadn't taught me anything, but hey, can't go against a special occasion!
Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild entrance
Before entering the dark, spacious room where the collection was exhibited, you had to go through a labyrinth of black walls and photos. Lagerfeld took black-and-white portraits of his 13 favorite people from the world fashion and art wearing pieces from the new collection. A little sneak peek to get us excited seconds before seeing the pieces in life.
The presentation room was full of stylish display cases and racks:
These jackets are going to be huge. They're ultra-light and very warm, which makes them appropriate even for the more severe winter weather. I love the asymmetrical diagonals on the white bomber jacket and all the different textures - undoubtedly the best thing about the presentation was that you could touch everything!
Many jackets are hand painted with ink to achieve an embossed effect. They used high-tech materials and leather for the collection. Its main idea is comfort; the pieces are practical and straightforward. I really appreciate that the collection is so full of details and unusual techniques. Jackets and sneakers, i.e. everyday wear, are often not very creative in order to stay practical, but the ideas and work behind this collection took these pieces to a new level.
Oversized detachable collar and mittens. Inspiration? Kitchen gloves. The collar is my favorite piece in the collection. You can see it with the white jacket above, but I like that you can wear it with practically everything, it's great for mixing and matching.
Black and white: signature Karl Lagerfeld colors
I giggled when I saw these platform shoes. Graffiti are often still understood as marginal in our culture. Considering this, the Hogan by Karl Lagerfeld graffiti logo can be interpreted as somewhat devalued. The genius idea behind this is that even a devalued logo is still a logo, so those wishing to let the world know they bought Hogan by Lagerfeld shoes will be able to do so nevertheless (it would be crazy not to give people this option in this day and age).
There were constantly changing holograms based on Lagerfeld's sketches for the collection in every display case.
The presentation was over at 8 when VIP guests started arriving to the party. I went upstairs for the photocall and the first celebrity who showed up was Karl Lagerfeld. I thought he'd be about as intimidating as Anna Wintour (who I'd seen the week before at Emporio Armani in Milan), but he seemed to enjoy the photographers' attention quite a bit, which was not intimidating at all.
Diego Della Valle (CEO of Tod's) and Karl Lagerfeld
Of course, Karl wasn't the only celebrity at the party:
Leigh Lezark
Elisa Sednaoui. Most photogenic person I've ever seen.
Paloma Faith
Elodie Bouchez
Du Juan
M.I.A. You can't see it in the photo, but her manicure matches the pattern on her romper.
Natalia Vodianova
Shu Pei
Lou Doillon
Jessica Stam. She kept making faux-bored grimaces, but she's so pretty not even that made her look weird.
Jessica Stam's amazing sandals
Elisa Sednaoui and Leigh Lezark
When I was leaving, I almost bumped into Leigh Lezark on the stairs. I've never seen more celebrities in one place - pretty much everyone who was in Paris for fashion week came to the party. It was exciting and glamorous and Paris at night was the perfect backdrop for the occasion.
I'm very honored to have been invited to this event. After Hogan and Emporio Armani, once the fashion week adrenaline has calmed down, I'll have many stories and photos to return to until the next season.
March 7, 2011 at 11:46 AM
While I was reading it, I got the feeling like I was there. Weary nicely written :). Keep on the good work and I wish you more shows in next season. :)
P.S. Your photographic skills have improved since the Armani show :).
March 7, 2011 at 1:06 PM
Thanks dear! :) I'd love to see more shows next season, especially in New York (I decided I'd be going).
P.S. The problem with EA was that lighting was worse there and my place was too far away from the runway for the flash to have a visible impact on photo quality.
March 7, 2011 at 3:56 PM
LOVE Leigh Lezark! I always love seeing what she wears, so thanks for sharing these shots!
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March 7, 2011 at 3:57 PM
When I was 18 I guess I wanted to be you (but it was long ago and you were wearing nappies then, I guess), I too loved fashion, would've killed to be be invited to an Armani show (well, I would still love to go, even at my age, in fact Armani Haute Couture collection is not something one would were to lectures at Ljubljana's Faculty of arts (for one, the lovely embroidery might get stuck in the old benches, well they were old in my days) and passed my Cambridge Proficiency with an A and was ready to brag about it forever. Now I have a very different, wonderful life, on another continent, but reading your blog from time to time, makes me feel like i am 19 again.
I am pleased you are getting all these invitations and enjoying yourself. And what with your stylish haircut, you could become the next Anna Wintour. Keep it up!
March 7, 2011 at 8:11 PM
Thank you very much for this comment. I'm glad you're still reading. I'm also tickled pink that things are finally happening for serious fashion blogging-wise. The Hogan invitation was unexpected, it came the morning after I'd returned from Milan and I had about 5 seconds to decide whether I'd go or not. Of course, though, you don't let opportunities like this go.
March 9, 2011 at 5:34 PM
Awesome coverage! :> Seems like you're having a great spring, enjoy!