Last month the world mourned the death of legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. As per his wishes, no public funeral was held, but Chanel marked its long-time creative director’s tragic passing for his final show with an emotional runway, and a collection that is already on every Chanel collector’s wish list.
The Paris monument Le Grand Palais, the fashion house’s usual venue, was transformed into a winter wonderland complete with powdery snow and Alpine chalets. A bright sky backdrop was set against the runway as models strutted down the runway wearing the Fall/Winter 2019 collection.
An inscription by Lagerfeld himself was on full display, and on every seat reading “The beat goes on” above a sketch of himself and the house’s founder, Coco Chanel.
And the beat did go on, starting with a moment of silence in memory of the designer, followed by a recording of Lagerfeld’s voice before the models came out. Penelope Cruz, who was announced as the fashion house’s brand ambassador last October, was amongst the models, paying tribute to Lagerfeld by carrying a white camellia (the house’s flower) down the runway.
Led by Cara Delevingne, the emotional show ended with a standing ovation and not a single dry eye in sight as David Bowie’s “Heroes” played.
To celebrate Lagerfeld’s lasting legacy and his last collection, we round up 5 of our favourite looks from the show.