Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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far left and right: Looks from the Métiers d'art collection. above: Chanel's Boston boutique. left: The patent boot ($1,425). photography Courtesy of Chanel "our clientele travels a lot, and knitwear very much fits into the easy, sophisticated lifestyle of the boston woman." —barbara cirkva can prove if she said this herself, but who cares? There was a connection, and that connection doesn't need to be related to the truth to serve as my inspiration." To present the more than 80 looks, models such as Stella Tennant and Kendall Jenner walked through a series of candlelit rooms where guests sat on elegant sofas and nibbled on confections. To close the show, Lagerfeld strolled by with model Cara Delevingne, who held a half-eaten pretzel in her hand. And the collection was devastatingly beautiful. Jackets played a starring role, each one more imagina- tive than the last. There was a long, colorful embroidered jacket with f lared sleeves and hem, a f loor-length shearling coat, a breath- taking cape made almost entirely of feathers. Many pieces offered fresh takes on Tyrolean styles, like the beaded dirndl-inspired dress with a leather bodice, ruff led blouses with high collars and bibs, and knit leggings in Alpine colors of hunter green and dove gray. Even the accessories had a playful, sound of music joy to them: Headphones with coiled braids that cover the ears, felt bags embroidered with f lowers, feathered hats, and black patent-leather clogs were among the standouts. Lagerfeld even made a convincing case for bringing back lederhosen. The style's best ambassador: the designer's 6 -year-old godson Hudson, who wore a pair of jean lederhosen with kneesocks, an outfit that reminded Lagerfeld of how he dressed as a child. "But my lederhosen were made from leather," he says. "There were no jeans around for that back then!" While the collection nods to the past, it never reads old-fashioned. "In a way, the clothes are timeless because Austrian people still wear these types of dresses," Lagerfeld says, "but mine is a version of great luxury." It's a luxury that would be unimaginable, however, if not for the company's ateliers. "The commitment Chanel has made to supporting its ateliers is crucial not just for Chanel but for the entire haute couture industry and ready-to-wear business," says Barbara Cirkva, the brand's division president for fashion in the US. "The handcrafted skill that goes into these pieces can never be replicated. And you'd be hard-pressed to find a Chanel runway or Métiers collection that didn't involve the ateliers on some level, whether it's hand-woven braiding on a jacket or an embroidered camellia." Many of these exquisite pieces will find their way into one of the Back Bay's star attractions, the Chanel boutique. "Newbury Street is so chic and fashionable that we wanted to expand our presence there," says Cirkva. The store is modeled after a "townhouse, in keeping with Boston's architectural style," she adds, with "luxurious fitting rooms and a very residential feel in the ready-to-wear areas. You can come with a friend or your family and spend the day." K nitwear is particularly popular in Boston, and not just because of the chilly winters. "Our clientele travels a lot," Cirkva explains, "and knitwear very much fits into the easy, sophisticated lifestyle of the Boston woman." As for the Paris-Salzburg collection, it's easy to fall in love with every last ruff led blouse and hair bow, proving that Lagerfeld has done it again and seduced us all—himself included. "It's very difficult for me to have favorite pieces," he says. "I love the collection as a whole. If not, I would only show one dress!" 6 newbury st., 617-859- 0055; chanel.com BC 44 bostoncommon-magazine.com Style tastemaker