Trend-Plate: An Autumn in Moscow

August 15, 2010

Trend-Plate: An Autumn in Moscow

To most avid travellers, Moscow may be best visited in winter, when the Red Square and the spires of the Basilica of Saint Peter being covered with sheets of virgin white snow - which reminds us of either the classic snow globe or a scene in the animated feature, Anastasia.

However, Moscow in autumn can be a breathtaking sight that any traveller should not miss as the colours of the fallen leaves blend well with the hue of its evening sky and the richly gilded palette of its well-preserved historical buildings.

This autumn, reminisce the glory of Russian Tsarina-inspired collection by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel (circa pre-fall 2009) with these glorious offerings by net-a-porter.com.

Row 1: (L-R) Feather-print silk-georgette cape by Alexander McQueen, £510; Wool-blend coat by Milly, £598; Wool and silk-blend intarsia dress by Alexander McQueen, £944.

Row 2: (L-R) Crown Kick 18-karat gold cuff by John Hardy, £2,842; Cotton gold print T-shirt by Alexander McQueen,£202; Lizard-trim acetate sunglasses by Linda Farrow, £330.

Row 3: (L-R) Studded braided leather belt by Balmain, £1,034; Mini Pop metallic leather bag by Lanvin, £655; Lili 100 thigh-high boots by Christian Louboutin, £1,292.

*Photos courtesy of Net-a-Porter.com

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EDITOR'S LOVE LETTER

Last week, the world and the fashion realm was shocked by the demise of Kaiser Karl Lagerfeld. Yes, the man known for his platinum locks tied into a ponytail, that all-black ensemble, the fingerless gloved hands with lots of rings and most importantly - the father of the world's most iconic white kitty Choupette - breathed his last after a short bout of illness.

From the beginning of career as a design assistant of Pierre Balmain to his life-long tenure with Rome's celebrated furrier and fashion house Fendi, his 36-year stint as the Creative Director of Chanel and his namesake brand, Lagerfeld is meant to be more than just a fashion designer.

In fact, he is fashion, for he dare to go against the convention and defy his critics who criticized him for his choices of everything - materials for his collection (he's known for the liberal use of fur in his collections); people (he once said British singer Adele was "a little too fat"); and for capitalising on the fame of his pet cat Choupette, which I believe, there was no harm at all.

While the #MeToo generation may not be pleased with what he had done within the fashion realm (again, the fur usage and the fat-shaming), Lagerfeld is, in his own right, an institution. Thanks to him, Chanel became a coveted Parisian fashion maison after going to almost oblivion state. That is by turning the brand's artistic direction around and when I say "turning", it means doing two things that the late Mademoiselle Coco Chanel was known to dislike (hate is too strong a word): Mini skirts and blue jeans.

And never forget how mid-2000s used to be influenced by him and every brand was eager to have a slice of him: That limited edition Coca-Cola drink designed by him; the limited edition colouring pencil set he created for Faber-Castell and some music compilation containing hits approved by the Kaiser himself. Now that he had ceased walking the earth, one cannot help but wonder, what will the future of Chanel be? Most importantly, what can we look forward to the upcoming fashion show?

Whatever will be, wherever you are, you will be deeply missed Karl Lagerfeld. Rest in peaxce, sir!

Beaucoup d’Amour

Shaiful