Karl Lagerfeld may have a lifetime contract with Chanel, but the high priest of Parisian chic demonstrated at his haute couture show on Tuesday that he won't easily be knocked from his perch by any young upstart.
Facing off this year against fresh talent like Maxime Simoens, who presents his first couture show on Wednesday, Lagerfeld gave his spring-summer collection a resolutely modern feel with light-hearted designs and a pulsing, electro beat.
At the intimate show in central Paris, slender models paced the showroom wearing classic Chanel pieces like the flared suit jacket, updated with a tapered jean or funky, flat shoes that seem to have been inspired by Moroccan "babouches".
The parade of pale pinks, glinting sequins and rich embroidery lasted for nearly an hour. The show ended with an eruption of applause when the final model, wearing the traditional Chanel wedding gown, completed her round of the catwalk.
Stars gushed over the collection, rushing to congratulate Lagerfeld after the show.
"It was so beautiful, I nearly cried," said Spanish director Pedro Almodovar.
"I absolutely loved it, especially the skinny jeans and flat shoes," cooed model and actress Jerry Hall.
Lagerfeld, in his trademark white ponytail and white collar, appeared in front of a mirror-paneled staircase at the back of the room, surrounded by dozens of pink-clad models.
"The challenge was to make it modern, to keep it accessible ... you need to reinvent yourself constantly," he said.
(中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑)
About the broadcaster:
Renee Haines is an editor and broadcaster at China Daily. Renee has more than 15 years of experience as a newspaper editor, radio station anchor and news director, news-wire service reporter and bureau chief, magazine writer, book editor and website consultant. She came to China from the United States.