Karl's 'Bad Cold' And The Future Of Chanel
Bloomberg Businessweek|February 04, 2019

The 85-year-old design chief missed a show, raising the delicate issue of succession

Lagerfeld
Karl's 'Bad Cold' And The Future Of Chanel

For more than three decades, Karl Lagerfeld has ruled over the Chanel fashion house, designing as many as eight collections a year: spring, fall, skiwear, haute couture, and more. And at every rollout, Lagerfeld—instantly recognizable in his signature powder-white ponytail and fingerless gloves—takes his bows, peering out from behind dark glasses alongside celebrity endorsers such as Keira Knightley and Pharrell Williams.

So when Chanel last month said the 85-yearold designer was too “tired” to appear at his spring-summer haute couture show in Paris, his absence made more news than the hand-stitched floral gowns, sequined tweed suits, and feather capes on the catwalk. Conversation quickly turned to what was really ailing the designer, how long he could stay in fashion’s top job, and what Chanel plans to do next. “Lagerfeld has embodied the spirit of this brand for such a long time that it’s hard to imagine,” says Delphine Dion, luxury professor at the business school HEC Paris. “His aura, his persona is still very important.”

In the statement, Chanel said studio chief Virginie Viard—Lagerfeld’s deputy who greeted guests at the show in his stead—and image director Eric Pfrunder would “continue to work with him and follow through with the brand’s collections.” While Chanel hasn’t said anything further about Lagerfeld’s health, a spokesman for the Karl Lagerfeld fashion line, a separate, lower-cost brand that he designs on the side, said the company wishes him a “quick recovery from his bad cold.”

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEKView all
Instagram's Founders Say It's Time for a New Social App
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Instagram's Founders Say It's Time for a New Social App

The rise of AI and the fall of Twitter could create opportunities for upstarts

time-read
4 mins  |
March 13, 2023
Running in Circles
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Running in Circles

A subscription running shoe program aims to fight footwear waste

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
What I Learned Working at a Hawaiien Mega-Resort
Bloomberg Businessweek US

What I Learned Working at a Hawaiien Mega-Resort

Nine wild secrets from the staff at Turtle Bay, who have to manage everyone from haughty honeymooners to go-go-dancing golfers.

time-read
10 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
How Noma Will Blossom In Kyoto
Bloomberg Businessweek US

How Noma Will Blossom In Kyoto

The best restaurant in the world just began its second pop-up in Japan. Here's what's cooking

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
The Last-Mover Problem
Bloomberg Businessweek US

The Last-Mover Problem

A startup called Sennder is trying to bring an extremely tech-resistant industry into the age of apps

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Tick Tock, TikTok
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Tick Tock, TikTok

The US thinks the Chinese-owned social media app is a major national security risk. TikTok is running out of ways to avoid a ban

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Cleaner Clothing Dye, Made From Bacteria
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Cleaner Clothing Dye, Made From Bacteria

A UK company produces colors with less water than conventional methods and no toxic chemicals

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Pumping Heat in Hamburg
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Pumping Heat in Hamburg

The German port city plans to store hot water underground and bring it up to heat homes in the winter

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Sustainability: Calamari's Climate Edge
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Sustainability: Calamari's Climate Edge

Squid's ability to flourish in warmer waters makes it fitting for a diet for the changing environment

time-read
4 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
New Money, New Problems
Bloomberg Businessweek US

New Money, New Problems

In Naples, an influx of wealthy is displacing out-of-towners lower-income workers

time-read
4 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023