Shades of red, green, blue and white drape the models as they make their way down the pale wooden runway. Kilts, scarves and other Scottish-inspired apparel perfectly match the rustic venue: Scotland’s Linlithgow Palace. Part of a very select European tour, designer Karl Lagerfeld’s Scottish Metiers d’Art event made an impression. Next stop for the Chanel creative director? Dallas, Texas.
Lagerfeld announced at the January 2013 WWD CEO Summit that Dallas is his choice for the next Chanel runway show. The WWD CEO Summit is a conference held annually by Women’s Wear Daily trade newspaper in New York City. At this conference, hundreds of apparel and retail CEOs gather to encourage and inspire one another.
Model in the Metiers d’Art Show in Scotland
Photo credit: Elle UK
Photo credit: Elle UK
Lagerfeld understands the extreme contrast between the setting of his previous show at a castle in Scotland and his next stop, Dallas. Lagerfeld, in an interview at the conference, explained why he chose Dallas: “To do the opposite, next time I will go to Dallas. You know why? First of all, I love Texas. I love Texans.” So Lagerfeld will pack his bags in Scotland and head down south.
Taking this runway extravaganza to a radically different setting wasn’t the only reason Lagerfeld chose Dallas. “There’s another reason. When Chanel reopened, the French press was beyond nasty. The only press that understood it immediately was the American press, and Neiman Marcus gave her the Oscar for her collection, so I think it’s a nice thing to go there,” Lagerfeld said.
Though few may have expected Lagerfeld to include Texas in his itinerary, with Lagerfeld, there is always some connection. “I try to find a connection, but the connection is often very vague. With Texas, it’s a detail, but with little detail, you can make a whole story. I am a storyteller for that.” Lagerfeld’s intricate designs and garments complete the story, making the connection clearer than ever.
Lagerfeld explained to Bridget Foley, executive editor of Women’s Wear Daily, the importance of selecting the perfect location for a runway show. “It’s very important to do it in a very special way. . . there has to be some magical surrounding.”
Chanel’s Metiers d’Art show, known for its lavish extravagance, introduces the pre-fall collection. This runway show is specifically meant to display a characteristic of Chanel’s craftsmanship. In the past, the must-see event has been set in such enchanting locations as Venice and Paris.
Model in the Metiers d’Art Show in Scotland
Photo credit: Elle UK
Photo credit: Elle UK
Tayler Lee, an assistant manager for fine apparel at Neiman Marcus in Dallas, said the Neiman’s team couldn’t be happier with Lagerfeld’s choice of venues.
“We are excited and honored to have the show in Dallas. It is wonderful visibility for the city amongst the fashion community — we have plenty of chic hot spots in Dallas to share!”
Lee continues, “Karl has long been fascinated with the city, and Coco was beloved and honored by Neiman Marcus for her earliest collections. We can only hope to impress fashion’s royalty as we host this grand affair!”
Though a date has yet to be set for the Lagerfeld event, fashion lovers across the country anticipate the runway spectacular that will undoubtedly take Dallas by storm.
