Backstage at Lagerfeld

Save the sunglasses and that snowy white hair, Lagerfeld’s fall runway could be called a procession of bouffanted mini-mes (or to be clear, mini-hims). Marching nonchalantly to the electro-pop beats of The xx, models emerged from behind a maze of neon blue panels in a series of structured black-and-white looks that were unmistakably Lagerfeldian. Tall white turtlenecks mimicked the designer’s starched white collars, variations of his black fingerless gloves appeared on several of the models, and even a Modish white dress paired with patent leggings looked as though it had been pulled directly from Lagerfeld’s distinct wardrobe.

The blatantly self-referential collection certainly induced a bit of a chuckle, but that’s not to say that it wasn’t also a classic example of the designer’s insane talent. The lacquered black or brown leggings remained a theme throughout, worn under structured jackets with angular peplums and lapels that curved and folded back on themselves like the petals of a futuristic flower. Dresses and skirts debuted shimmering beads and embellishments, and a series of high-necked gowns featured bodices covered with an impressive array of sequins. And while Lagerfeld got a wee bit lost behind the glowing, reflective stage before stepping out for his finale strut, this collection was just further proof that the designer knows exactly where he’s going; no trend, critic or fluorescent platform will ever push him off his path.