Karl Lagerfeld’s Dark World (Chanel Fall/ Winter 2011/ 2012)

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“The world is a dark place” Karl Lagerfeld said after his rather shadowy collection for Chanel was unveiled as a part of Paris Fashion Week. The entire show seemed to be intended to remind the humanity apocalypses was close.

chanel fashion show

The inspiration for the Fall/ Winter 2011/ 2012 collection and Chanel show must have been the volcanic eruption that took place ‘amid a fog-shrouded forest on a bed of still-smoldering scorched earth’. However, the gloomy picture was a bit diluted but the fact Chanel models walked into and out of huge glowing squares of white light at each end of the runway.

The clothing in Chanel Fall/ Winter 2011/ 2012 collection wasn’t very bright or lively either. All grey and black the pieces looked just right in that dreary atmosphere. The mannish silhouettes and proportions, reserved décor, wide cropped rolled-up pants, quilted jackets, shawl-collared tuxedos, and bike boots – all made us forget about femininity and pointed out that practicality was more essential at the time. Even the few truly womanly items like the feathered skirt were combined with garments that overwhelmed the notion of women’s beauty. The new Chanel girl was more like a man.

Being a great fan of Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld I can’t but admit I’m disappointed with the Fall/ Winter 2011/ 2012 collection. The pieces weren’t interesting much and the feeling of the end of the world approaching ran through every single look that was presented. We all know that people are ruining the planet but seeing it that obvious is really hard. But the show itself was fantastic!

See the Full Chanel Fall/ Winter 2011/ 2012 Fashion show (High Quality):