Every year, Fashion Week is an event that many look forward to. Notable Fashion Shows; held during New York Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, London Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week, and more. Preparation is always key, for those that are invited/attend, it is known to always make certain, that they show up and show out. Selfishly, the liberation I feel out of Fashion Week is, aligned with the specific energy of showing up in your most Avant-Grande, Innovated, and Fore-looking outfits, which for me, captures the beauty of personal fashion.
As we approach New York Fashion Week, I wanted to honor Karl Lagerfeld (legal name Karl Otto Lagerfeld), known as one of the most alluring and sought figures in the Creative Direction and the Fashion Industry.
A Deep Dive into the Karl Lagerfeld’s History
To get deeper into History, one must understand Karl Lagerfeld’s legacy; from Balmain to Chloe from Patou to Chanel. Fashion Week is a work of art that means a lot to those that are into Fashion, those who follow Fashion, those who are interested in the sets, and fans of the event; Lagerfeld’s talent has imprinted on many people’s minds and marked itself in History. Karl Lagerfeld is the creative director behind the revival of Chanel (founded by Coco Chanel in 1910, in Paris, France).
Some Iconic Looks that Stick Out
The 2023 Met Gala theme, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” was to pay tribute to the late German Creative Director for Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld was an Icon in his time, as he passed on February 19, 2019, in Paris, France. Lagerfeld left a legacy that is not easily overlooked and is heavily felt within the Fashion and Creative Direction Industry. Lagerfeld prided himself on making his shows feel like sets and is able to make you feel as if you are in another world. With Iconic Runway Shows such as the 2018 Haute Couture Show (Spring/Summer), 2018/2019 Ready-to-Wear Show (Fall/Winter), 2018/2019 Metiers d’Art (Paris-New York), 2014/2015 Ready-to-Wear (Fall/Winter) and 2017 Ready-to-Wear (Spring/Summer).
01
Fall/winter
2014/2015 Ready-to-Wear(Fall/Winter)
Turned the Grand Palais into Chanel Shopping Centre, where models walked down aisles stocked with Chanel-branded goods.The theme for this show was “Consumerism Era .”
02
Spring/Summer
2017 Ready-to-Wear (Spring/Summer)
Lagerfeld took us into the Future, with the era being “Intimate Technology.” Fun fact, a real data center seen in the Fashion Show, was provided.
03
fall/winter
2018/2019 Ready-to-Wear Show (Fall/Winter)
Chanel transformed the Grand Palais into an enchanted forest. Models emerged from a mirrored cabin onto an autumnal runway of fallen leaves and bare trees.
04
spring/summer
2018/2019 Metiers d’Art; Paris-New York (Spring/Summer)
Lagerfeld sent models around The Met’s Temple of Dendur – an Ancient Egyptian monument completed in 10BC.
Chanel Show, Fall 2014/2015 Ready-to-Wear Collection(Supermarket Show)
Set for the Chanel Show, Fall 2014/2015 Ready-to-Wear Collection aka Supermarket Show.
Karl Lagerfeld turned the Grand Palais into Chanel Shopping Centre where models walked down aisles stocked with Chanel-branded goods.
The theme for this show was, “Consumerism Era .” The set being transformed into a store, was an absolute genius by Karl Lagerfeld. As this is the 2014-2015 Fall/Winter Edition, the looks were prominent in pieces ranging from leggings and sweats to higher fashion clothing paired with trench coats, leather pieces, bomber jackets, layered clothing and practical shoe wear; such as boots and sneakers.
History on “The Consumerism Period”
This time period, was deep the conversation about Consumerism in America; and Lagerfeld portrayed that energy beautifully. From the 1940s to the 1970s, began the American Consumerism Boom/Normalization. This time created city to suburb placements, credit, blue collard jobs and more. Within this time period, majority of the population was beginning to indulge in having the best, having the trending products, etc- as the forefront as the image.
Karl Lagerfeld’s Creative Direction within this show, was a “Mirror to Society” type of energy, that many creatives express. The different with Lagerfeld’s explanation is the visual creation, combined with the fashion. This show, to me, portrayed the live version of the 1970s and molded it beautifully into the 20th century fashion, showed in the 2014-2015 shoot.
Photo of Cara Delevingne and Karl Lagerfeld.
The Era of Consumerism
Described by the, “Smithsonian Institute”
Innovations in technology, expansion of white-collar jobs, more credit, and new groups of consumers fueled prosperity. “Business and political leaders claimed consumerism was more than shopping: it defined the benefits of capitalism.“
Chanel Spring 2017 Ready-to-Wear Collection
Lagerfeld took us into the Future, with the era being “Intimate Technology.”
The looks were prominent, were extremely futuristic and did not shy away from patterns. This includes Neon Colors, Wide Framed sunglasses, unexpected color mixes, paring unlikely colors together, etc. Karl Lagerfeld’s creativity came out in these looks. His reasoning for creating a more Futuristic look, was a conversation within Technological Singularity. Technological Singularity is the merger between Technology and Human Beings.
Karl Lagerfeld walking down the Runway at the Chanel, Spring 2017 Ready-To-Wear.
Fun fact: A data center provided the backdrop for this futuristic show at the Grand Palais in Paris, which included models dressed as glossy, white robots and bags flashing with led lights.
I saw this shoot as a beautiful follow up, to the “Consumerism Era” Fashion Show. As this is a further push into the “Future,” I deemed this Show as a Top 5. From the set design, to the clothing, to the overall time period (2017) I felt this was a very forward piece that was beyond it’s time, yet exactly on time. Beyond time, Karl Lagerfeld, projected himself in a way, that was beyond his time, a true visionary.
Chanel, Spring 2017 Ready-To-Wear.
Chanel Fall 2018/2019 Ready-to-Wear Collection
Chanel transformed the Grand Palais into an enchanted forest. Models emerged from a mirrored cabin onto an autumnal runway of fallen leaves and bare trees. This Era for these looks is very 90’s esq. With the models strutting across the ground. This raw energy of creative expression, combing with the beautiful energy of the outfits; is simple unmatched.
Chanel Fall 2018 Ready-To-Wear Location
The colors associated with this particular show, bring a more Melancholy Aura; such as burgundy, black, dark blues, greens, grays and the occasional white for highlight. The Fall/Winter Season came in strong carrying practical full coverage items.
The types of clothing presented gave full body coverage, such as Long Sleeve/Long Jackets, Long Pants/Long Skirts
The types of accessories, added to the full body coverage. For example, most accessories included gloves, hoods, scarves, tights, earmuffs
With interesting pieces such as, mismatched earrings and long necklaces; these looks were intentional. Paired with the Fall/Nature Energy, Lagerfeld once again, hit the mark with the environments aesthetics- in which he created.
Models walk to Runway 2018 “Ready To Wear” Chanel X Karl Lagerfeld.
Chanel 2018/2019 Spring Métiers d’art (Paris/New York Collection)
Chanel 2018/2019 Spring Métiers D’art (Paris/New York Collection):
The looks were prominent in Jean looks, Neon Colors, Funky Colors and Ancient clothing representing the Egyptian theme. The clothing paired with the makeup and accessories; the looks created a new look mixed with ancient times and the current age.
As Karl Lagerfeld states, speaking on the Show Collection, “It is made in a very artisanal way in the best sense of the word because it is artisanal there is art. The art of doing it well. An applied art. And it is astounding. I think the image of this collection is very much down to this refinement which should be seen close up, almost touched, to understand how it is done and to appreciate the beauty of this work.” –Karl Lagerfeld
As a last look for this “Karl Lagerfeld Tribute,” we have the 2018/2019 Spring Métiers D’art (Paris/New York Collection). I included this look as finalizing my favorites, as I feel it shows the level of Karl Lagerfeld’s creativeness. As he goes from making commentary on the modern age, to a couple years ahead and back to the past- this to me shows Lagerfeld’s expansion, research and ingenuity.
Lagerfeld sent models around The Met’s Temple of Dendur – an Ancient Egyptian monument completed in 10BC.
Karl Lagerfeld brought the models to The Met’s Temple of Dendur. The Ancient Egyptian monument was carried beautifully by the catalogue that highlighted Ancient Egyptian inspired looks. The mix of history and present was beautifully executed. Down to the makeup, all of the makeup paired with
Karl Lagerfeld Exhibit
Located at “The Metropolitan Museum of Art”:
Karl Lagerfeld, currently has an Exhibit, at, “The Metropolitan Museum of Art.” The title of Lagerfeld’s exhibit is called, “The Line Of Beauty.” Here, in New York City, you can see the work that he has done from the years of 1933-2019. About 150 pieces are displayed at this location (with the descriptions), so you can get the full experience of Lagerfeld. There are certain rules, while entering the exhibit – please make sure to check them out on the Website.
“Tour. Ah, man, I can’t wait,” says Drake in Response to the Upcoming Tour
It’s confirmed, the self-proclaimed, “Lover Boy” Drake is back on Tour in 2023! With his last official tour being in 2018, followed by with two Billboard charted Album releases, “Honestly Nevermind” and “Her Loss” (collaborative LP with 21 Savage), it’s only fair Drake touches the World Stage again.
On December 17, 2022, according to Devon Jefferson of Hip Hop DX, “during a live-stream interview with online betting and gambling website Stake, Drizzy appeared to be overwhelmed with excitement to hit the road and go on tour in 2023.” Drake mentioned that there were few times that shows and rehearsals got either rescheduled or cancelled, adding to the build up of excitement, amongst Drake and fans.
Drake’s Setlist and Touring Schedule have not yet been confirmed, even so, we can feel this is not going to be a tour you would want to miss.
As the year comes to an end, everyone knows always to check out their Spotify Wrapped and the Top Hits of 2022. If you took a look at the Top Hits of 2022 Worldwide, you will notice Bad Bunny sitting at #1. Following his two-year run Bad Bunny, Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, once again, charts as the “Most Streamed Artist in the World” with 18.5 Billion Streams in 2022. This number almost doubles his 9.2 Billion Streams from 2021. Bad Bunny also finishes off 2022, with the Album, “Un Verano Sin Ti”. This album also takes the spot for #1 with the most streamed Album, Worldwide.
Larry Miller (NYU Steinhardt School) spoke on what makes Bad Bunny special. “It’s what makes him such a captivating artist. It’s the song. It’s his performance. It’s the song construction. It’s his partnership with the producers and collaborations with different artists. It’s his power, energy, and charm. It’s everything.”
2022 was a year full of Iconic and Worldly shifts, within the Entertainment Culture. Because of the power of Social Media and the capability of World Virality; we see people able to get the chance to blow up overnight. We see a new age of music arising, and it’s clear Audiences around the world, are equally as excited for this New Generation of Music.
Most Streamed Artists Globally 2022
Bad Bunny
Taylor Swift
BTS
Drake
Justin Beiber
Spotify’s Most-Streamed Songs of 2022 Globally
“As It Was” By Harry Styles
“Heat Waves” By Glass Animals
“Stay” By The Kid Laroi ft. Justin Beiber
“Me Porto Bonito” By Bad Bunny ft. Chencho Corleone
6ix9ine and Akon might be going head-to-head in a hits battle, at least according to Akon. The platinum-selling artist took to his Instagram Story on Saturday night to share the new of this possible bout between him and 6ix9ine.
“@6ix9ine just challenged me to a battle tomorrow at 3:30pm Live on IG, IT’S ON.” Akon wrote in his story behind a picture of what appears to be him on a FaceTime call with the rapper last night.
There hasn’t been any word from 6ix9ine about whether this is actually something that will be happening, or whether this is just another elaborate troll that Akon somehow got looped into. I expect the latter.
Ever since debuting in theaters plays in 2016, Hamilton has gathered a reputation for being one of the best plays ever performed. Hamilton is about the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States. The play was praised for its unique portrayal of the historical figure, along with the mixture of modern music to help the play stand out.
Despite being well praised, the play was also notorious for being expensive and hard to obtain tickets. As a response, Disney promises a theatrical release of the play, in order to reach a wider audience. Fans waited for years for more news on the release. After Disney+ was launched, the initial idea was that the play would air in theaters, and then make its way to the streaming service.
However, with the current pandemic, theater, have halted all airs, and while businesses are slowly opening their doors, it will take a while before people feel safe going to mass gatherings. Lin-Manuel Miranda posted on his official Twitter that Hamilton will skip theaters altogether, and instead, it will arrive on Disney+ on July 3.
While not the most surprising move, skipping theaters, follow the same path that Trolls 2 did, by debuting digitally the same day that it premiered in theaters. As we reported with Troll 2, movies moving to straight digital releases seemed to be the next step forward in the way we consume our entertainment.
This movement is not without growing pains as AMC and Universal exchanged strong words on Twitter, resulting in AMC banning the future airing of any Universal property.
The New Mutants director, Josh Boone, in a recent interview with EW, went on record to confirm that his upcoming film never went through any re-shoots despite the mountain of rumors. This revelation is just another step on the long road of actually seeing this movie air. The New Mutants has gathered a reputation for itself as the little movie that could, once thought never to see the light of day, now the movie is one month away from release.
The saga of The New Mutants starts back in 2017 after Josh Boone and Knate Lee pitched the movie to Fox, the duo started filming between July to September 2017. The idea was to show a more mature horror take on the X-men franchise, with the premise of having a group of teenagers realizing that they have powers. Inspired by the New Mutant comic of the same name, the idea was greenlight following the success of Deadpool and Logan. The New Mutant was first slated to release in April 2018.
The movie quickly went through some trouble with rumors coming out that Fox wanted reshoots because the movie wasn’t scary enough. This rumor was finally shut down by Boone as he said in a phone interview, “Everybody said we did reshoots! We’ve never done reshoots,” he tells EW over the phone in late February. “And I’ll tell you this: if there hadn’t been a merger, I’m sure we would’ve done reshoots the same way every movie does pickups. We didn’t even do that because by the time the merger was done and everything was settled, everybody’s older.” With rumors of reshoots finally coming to a close, the real question now is, why did it take so long for the film to come out? The most accepted answer seems to be the Disney merger. The New Mutants finished filming by September 2017, news of the merger was announce December of the same year, leaving everyone confused. “We had heard nothing because of the merger,” Boone adds. “It was radio silence for about a year where we had no new information at all.”
After the merger was announced, the only X-men related films that premiered were X-Men: Dark Phoenix, and Deadpool 2. Both movies were sequels or successful franchises. The New Mutants is a spin-off with nothing to go on other than a strong cast, with a fantastic trailer. The movie quickly went silent, and no news came for almost a year.
After the merger, Disney announced Disney+ a streaming service promising the most extensive Disney collection of movies and tv shows. More rumors started coming in that Disney wasn’t interested in the movie, or that they were going to dump it in Disney+ with little fanfare. Not even Boone knew about the movie until he received a call to finish the post-production. “When they called me right before I went to go make The Stand and said, ‘Would you come finish the movie?’ I said, ‘I would f—in’ love to come finish the movie!’” While we may never know what the original plans for The New Mutants were, it is interesting to see how fans will react to the movie now, and more importantly, will this movie have any effect on the larger MCU.
The New Mutants is set to premiere April 3, 2020, directed by Josh Boone. Starting Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Henry Zaga, Blu Hunt, and Alice Braga.
