For Pre-Fall 2012 Karl Lagerfeld was on a passage to India. And since this is Chanel, we’re not talking ashrams or yoga retreats or hippies on the beach at Goa. Rather, he went full force for the over-the-top bejeweling and embellishment of the Maharajas. The color palette was rather sedate considering the point of reference, but he managed to include a few shots of bright pink and periwinkle against all the white, cream, gold, navy and burgundy.
The most successful and interesting looks were those were the “Indian” styling was hinted at but presented in a fresh way. For example, narrow trousers similar to the traditional selwar were paired with airy, feminine frocks in shimmering gold silk and came off looking fresh, just a touch “ethnic” but not costumey. Lagerfeld managed to pull this off in the draped crotch split skirts he showed with neat little tops, and with some of the looks in the latter half of the show.
-RS (Images courtesy CHANEL)
i. die.
