Many names have passed through the fashion industry, but not all of them have managed to stick. The name Karl Lagerfeld has stood out, through his work with luxury brands like Balmain and Fendi. Is Karl Lagerfeld considered a luxury brand because of the man behind it, or is there more to achieving luxury brand status? Let’s find out.
Karl Lagerfeld’s time as Creative Director for Chanel revolutionized the fashion industry and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest to ever do it.
His brand, Karl Lagerfeld, is relatively new in the realm of Fashion Houses. Does working with so many luxury brands in the past automatically give his own the same status?
Luxury redefined
Imagine you just won a million dollars. The first thing you buy isn’t going to be something you can get all the time.
If you choose a car, it would likely be a specific type. If it’s a watch, it’ll be a certain brand. If it’s a house, you’re getting the one with all the bells and whistles.
You choose those things because of tradition or a rich heritage. The word ‘luxury’ is derived from the Latin word ‘luxus,’ which means ‘excess’.
They’re not absolute necessities, but people love to have them. When you think of luxury, visions of vacationing in the Maldives, wearing the latest designer clothing, and driving fancy cars might come to mind.
What do all these things have in common? One factor is exorbitant prices, and that means not everyone can afford it.
This type of exclusivity only makes it more attractive and builds up notoriety around the product/service. Keeping supplies scarce and demand high keeps the prices and resale value high too.
Naturally, people won’t spend money on items that aren’t well-crafted or that don’t meet certain standards. Great craftsmanship, excellent customer service, and a solid reputation keep people coming back for more.
As times change, so does the definition of luxury. Luxury, today, must be “environmentally neutral, socially beneficial and culturally sustainable”.
Let’s examine if Karl Lagerfeld meets these criteria and address the question: Is Karl Lagerfeld a luxury brand?
The Monochrome Memoir
It’s uncertain when he was born; some sources say 1933, while others say 1938. What we are sure of is how the German fashion designer lived.
He lived for fashion; his iconic monochrome formal suits and white gloves were a signature even during his school days.
By the time he was a teenager, he was already getting recognized for his designs. He won a fashion competition (now the International Woolmark Prize) in 1954, apprenticed for names like Pierre Balmain and Jean Patou, and became close friends with Yves Saint Laurent.
He made significant impacts at Tiziano, Chloé, and Curiel, establishing a solid reputation in the industry. Everyone knows what Karl Lagerfeld did for Chanel when he signed on in 1983.
People were becoming disinterested, thinking the brand was too ‘bougie’. Times were changing and Lagerfeld saw that.
He managed to update it while staying true to its roots. Chanel became trendy again and re-entered its glory days.
Karl Lagerfeld was curating ready-to-wear couture for Chanel at the same time as creating his own brand in 1984.
He worked on Fendi’s ready-to-wear collections with Silvia Fendi but was never predictable. He collaborated with H&M, something unheard of for someone of his stature.
He designed outfits for rapper Nicki Minaj’s Elle cover and even inspired his own Barbie doll. Lagerfeld was pumping out elaborate sets, creating custom garments for celebrities, and being dadager to his beloved cat Choupette up to age 85.
He was so ill during his last fashion show that he couldn’t even take a bow. He was still there though because of his passion for fashion.
He once said, “Please don’t say I work hard. Nobody is forced to do this job, and if they don’t like it they should do another one.
” His dedication bore fruit, with his name carrying significant weight in fashion capitals like Paris, New York, and Milan. Karl Lagerfeld was more than just a fashion designer. His influence is apparent in the many tributes made following his passing in 2019.
The audience was literally moved to tears at his last runway show. The 2023 Met Gala was even dedicated to his contributions to the industry and impeccable style.
Many were worried about the eponymous brand which relied heavily on the direct input of the man himself.
But, his brand lives on through the collaboration of design director Hun Kim and longtime friend and fashion advisor, Carine Roitfeld.
Karl Lagerfeld’s ‘in’
Karl Lagerfeld has achieved significant milestones for numerous renowned brands. When it was his turn to launch fashions under his own name, he pushed the boundaries and bathed it in his personality.
Despite a late start compared to established fashion houses like Cartier or Hermès, his reputation garnered early success.
Is Karl Lagerfeld an exclusive brand? Not quite so. True fans of Karl Lagerfeld appreciate his Art Deco style and valiance, and that’s usually why they buy it.
Perhaps because he was juggling so many projects, Karl Lagerfeld’s releases were overshadowed. But, it sure ticks the box of appealing to a small audience.
Currently, there’s more anticipation for upcoming releases from brands like Burberry or Louis Vuitton. Lagerfeld didn’t mean for his entire brand to be exclusive.
He has experience appealing to the upper echelon. The Karl Lagerfeld brand has a secondary, more affordable brand named Karl Lagerfeld Paris.
They sell it at Macy’s and TjMaxx, so it’s definitely accessible. This makes you wonder; Is Karl Lagerfeld a luxury brand?
But, who’s wearing it?
Luxury brands use collaborations with other brands or celebrities to boost their brand image. It’s simple: If the rich and famous are wearing the brand, more people will want to wear it.
Is Karl Lagerfeld a luxury brand if it doesn’t have big brand collaborations? Karl Lagerfeld x Smiley is described as ‘optimistic chic’; a splash of color in a world that lacks positivity.
The designs incorporate the smiley logo adorned with Karl’s glasses and iconic ponytail, reflecting the humor its founder would have appreciated.
Totally unexpected, but true to his personality. Other collaborations include Puma, Amber Valletta, and Kenneth Ize.
Both Cara Delevingne and Karl Lagerfeld drew mutual inspiration from one another. Cara (among other friends) kept him young, and they had a special relationship.
So, it was no surprise to learn of this collaboration. The Cara Loves Karl collaboration features versatile or transformable garments, where a jacket isn’t just a jacket, and they can be worn any way.
It doesn’t have the Chanel price tag
The starting price for the Chanel 19 bag, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, is $6400. Compare that to the most expensive Karl Lagerfeld bag at $599 and you have your answer.
That would be the Ikon K Medium Croc-Effect Shoulder Bag, which can only be described as ‘very Karl’. The least expensive Karl Lagerfeld bag is the KLJ Monogram Canvas Tote.
It costs $85 and is really just a basic tote with the Karl Lagerfeld Jeans logo. That’s about the same as a comparable bag from Steve Madden.
Tailored trousers from Karl Lagerfeld are priced below $299, whereas similar garments at Giorgio Armani start at $695.
For reference, the most expensive pair of Armani trousers is $8,900Is Karl Lagerfeld a luxury brand if it’s relatively affordable?
Price is one factor that gives brands luxury status. As far as the luxury spectrum, Karl Lagerfeld is a fashion brand that’s closer in price to Dooney and Bourke than Chanel or Gucci.
Is Karl Lagerfeld a Luxury brand with resale value?
No. Karl Lagerfeld products don’t sell much for that to begin with. You can resell them, but they’re certainly not a major player in the ‘shopping to sell’ trend.
You can find resellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and eBay.
So, what’s the quality like?
Having worked under luxury brands himself, there’s no way Karl Lagerfeld would launch an inferior product. Before you question the ‘Made in China’ label, remember that many luxury fashion brands do the same, they just don’t admit it.
Other products are manufactured in Italy, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Macedonia, Turkey, and Portugal. The namesake brand uses materials like genuine leather, lamb and cow leather, organic recycled cotton, and even cactus leather.
Synthetic fibers are very common, but expect more recycled fabrics as the brand aims for more sustainable fashions.
The verdict: They’re good enough for who the brand appeals to, but don’t expect to pass it down to your daughter like a Chanel bag.
Karl’s Signature Style
The brand Karl Lagerfeld was all about Karl. It was his signature style and futuristic simplicity (not to be mistaken with boring).
Take the classic white shirt Karl transformed with his signature. It’s as close as Karl you can get without it seeming like just another boring, white shirt.
The K signature handbag is another example of how the brand is him. He was never afraid to take risks, and being in charge of his own brand meant he could continue kicking down barriers.
It was less stiff and he could have a lot of fun with it. We won’t pretend there isn’t some Chanel influence in his fashion line.
Online users have pointed out that some of his bags look like ‘Chanel dupes’, particularly the Karl Lagerfeld Paris Women’s Agyness Shoulder Bag.
But is it a dupe, or just a bag with a twist lock that happens to be black with gold hardware?
Fashion can be sustainable
Fashion has become increasingly progressive in recent times. A lot is changing, especially with attitudes towards sustainability.
The fashion industry’s impact on the planet and people can no longer be ignored. A good fashion brand should embrace this change, and play its part in this movement.
Karl Lagerfeld’s approach to sustainable fashion is embodied in Karl Cares. With the help of Sustainability Ambassador, Amber Valletta, Karl Lagerfeld is focused on Fashion for the Future. Some of its initiatives include:
- The ‘Karl Cares’ hangtag identifies products made with 50% or more sustainable materials. The hangtag itself is made from FSC-certified paper and recycled cotton.
- Fair and safe work conditions from corporate to everyone in the supply chain according to amfori BSCI guidelines.
- Tracking environmental performance through the Higg Brand and Retail Module to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and lower energy consumption.
- He was one of the first signatories of the Fashion Pact, a collaborative effort among major industry players to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The Karl Lagerfeld Experience
The experience of the Karl Lagerfeld brand doesn’t quite align with his work at other fashion houses. There have been complaints, particularly about the return process, late deliveries and lack of communication.
Others praise the packaging and quality of clothing. The store experience is said to be different, with over 200 stores worldwide.
Is Karl Lagerfeld a luxury brand like Cartier or Prada? No, but people will always support the Karl Lagerfeld brand because of the visionary behind it.
It represents affordable luxury, an oxymoron, which is quintessentially Karl. The brand is on the same level as Micheal Kors or Kate Spade in terms of price, exclusivity, quality, and resale value.
If you love Karl Lagerfeld and the work he’s put into the industry, it doesn’t matter if Karl Lagerfeld is a luxury brand or not.
This is what he left for us, and it seems to be in good hands.
Is Karl Lagerfeld a Luxury Brand?: FAQs
Is Karl Lagerfeld brand a designer brand?
Karl Lagerfeld is a designer brand founded by the fashion icon himself. The eponymous brand was created to make his designs more accessible to fans who couldn’t afford Chanel or Fendi.
Is Karl Lagerfeld same as Chanel?
No. Karl Lagerfeld was Chanel’s creative director from 1983 up till his death in 2019. However, Karl Lagerfeld has a namesake brand, and a secondary brand named Karl Lagerfeld Paris.
Is Karl Lagerfeld a Luxury Brand?
Though the name Karl Lagerfeld evokes luxury, the brand is in the ‘masstige’ category, melding mass-market affordability with a touch of prestige.