Okay, Karl, Just This Once

Aside from the belt, the fringe, the shoes-slash-lucite-hooves, and the expression on the model's face (which can only be described as "I am smelling something bad while thinking about completing my overdue tax return"), this is one lovely dress. The neckline, the midriff band, the fantastic fabric which I can almost *touch* through the computer screen ...

And it's by that certified wackaloon, Lagerfeld (for Fendi)! I swear, I love to read about Lagerfeld. If there were a Lagerfeld News Weekly I would be a charter subscriber. Nothing about him surprises me. Bathes in a mixture of V8 and ball bearings? That's for amateurs. Can't sleep unless a minion is doing wheelies on a dirt bike up and down the parqueted hall? Pffft. Hardly even eccentric. He's been hired to decorate a secret lair on Skullcrusher Mountain, take pictures of the process for a coffee-table book, and compose a chamber-music piece for an oboe sextet for the grand opening? Please, the man does that every third Tuesday. Lagerfeld would have to build an army of robot kittens that breathe fire and knit alpaca socks before I would even raise an eyebrow.

And yet it still surprises me when I like something he's designed! You go, Karl. Love ya, baby. Don't ever change.

Comments

[Catanea]

Yes, it is a beautiful dress. I bought two identical black fringed shawls, once. Maybe its time to sew them together and add pockets. (I wish I thought Id fit into Karls jeans, though.)

[The Woolly Mammoth]

That dress is rather beautiful, although I think I may have to shorten the hem to knee-length though.

[Allie]

OMG, Erin, I love you.

[the guilty party]

I agree, Wolly Mammoth, that is an awkward length. Of course, this is Karl, and he probably doesnt want to hear from ordinary folks (I think he probably calls us creatures or land dwellers or something) about how its impossible to find a jacket whose proportions work with this, or about it makes us look a bit like a nun.I actually like the belt and the fringing, though.

[Jen Thompson]

LOL! Priceless post! I watched documentaries about Karl and Chanel all weekend. I think they need to start a Lagerfeld channel on TV - 24/7 of Karl being Karl. Id sure as hell watch!And yes, the dress is absolutely stunning! I wouldnt change a thing.

[Janel]

lol I agree with everything you said, except the fringe. I LOVE the fringe.Thanks for another great dress!

[beangirl]

You know, the thing about Fendi is... I never want to like Fendi, but I frequently find that I do. Theyre obviously doing something right (perhaps despit Karl the Wack Master... er... hmm... Wack Master is perhaps an unfortunate turn of phrase...)

[Nathalie]

I love the fringe, the length and even the belt. Id do without the shoes though.

[Holly]

if anyone knows of a pattern that mimics this dress, i would love to know about it. or suggestions on keywords to use to search for this pattern. my garment vocabulary is not so broad. thanks :)

[Sara]

Before my daughter was born, I had been reading Vogue cover to cover for about 20 years. I was always up on all the designers. I miss it, it was fun. What a funny post!

[Lauriana]

Great post! I actually like the belt, but I would want the dress to be shorter and loose the trim. About Lagerfeld, well, I know lots of craft bloggers love to hate him and, love or hate, its always a treat to read stories about him. However, lets not forget that this is also the man responsible for keeping Lesage (the embroidery house) and other one-of-a-kind couture workshops in business. Lots of craft and skill which would otherwise have been lost forever.

[AEBL]

Thanks for the laugh this morning.:D Lagerfeld is entertaining, but mostly crazy.@Holly, some search words that might help: peasant top, cap sleeves, corset style waistline, and bias cut skirt. (Although, Im not really sure about the skirt.)

[Evelyn]

Great post. I watched the documentary Valentino this weekend. At one point, at Vs big celebration with the entire couture world in attendance, the audio caught Karl whispering to Valentino, Compared to us, the rest of them make rags! True of Valentino, but I dont believe that Karl is worthy to shine his shoes!

[belphebe]

A Jonathan Coulton reference! Fantastic! I missed my chance to see him perform live because I didnt buy a ticket soon enough. Darn!And that is a lovely dress.I wonder what kind of outfit Lagerfield would put on the half-monkey, half-pony monster?

[riva]

I would so love to own that dress. Fringe and all!

[Joni]

I would take the fringe off and use it for my surrey...

[fripperie]

Im in the keep-the-fringe camp. The belt, i could do without...

[Claudine]

this post is so hilarious that I had to read it out loud to dh. I, too, am riveted by Lagerfeld.

[Jocelyn H. Chilvers]

Amen, sister!

[Cel Petro]

Ill be so sad when you have to stop writing this blog because youre busy doing commentary for Fashion Week, Red Carpet events, busy, busy, et al. It is a perfectly delectable dress, maybe not the fringe, but, yum.

[lucitebox]

I always mean to dress at The Kaiser for Halloween and forget. Im not sure I could act weird enough!What a fabulous post!

[A.]

Im sure Uncle Karl would find me quite demode, but its on my life list to attend one of the chanel couture grande atelier shows he masterminds. Did you see that article on him a few years ago now where in the middle, nonchalantly, a manservant brings him a protein drink because he doesnt really eat food? LOVE HIM.

[Anonymous]

A little off topic but have people here checked out the Keepsake quilting werbsite? They have very good qualitly fabric and their novelty fabrics may be just what people are looking for.http://www.keepsakequilting.com/products/U3/U5/U5.L12/Novelty.htm

[Alice]

Im with you on all accounts. With the exceptions you mentioned, this dress looks like it was made just for me--well the me 15 years ago, not the current me who could not do that beautiful midriff band justice. And I love the length, love having something swirling around my legs, very feminine.

[wundermary]

I dont care for the accessories. But, I am all for this dress. This could be made in several colors and become the uniform for summer.