Californians who are Rocky Mountain-bound can shop Karl Lagerfeld’s farewell collection in between hitting the slopes
Words by KELSEY McKINNON
Against the backdrop of a snowy, Alpine-inspired catwalk dotted with frozen pines in Paris last spring, teary onlookers watched Karl Lagerfeld’s final collection for Chanel parade down a wintry catwalk. The show was a study in the art of apres-ski: Waist-cinching wide-cut trousers, wool coats, pullovers and fedoras mixed with zip-up ski suits, faux-fur bags and camera cases in braided shearling. For snow-deprived Californians, there were even snowballs of tulle and crystallized snowflake barrettes to swoon over.
Now, in a move that both celebrates the importance of this farewell collection and places it in its natural environs, Chanel has packed up its winter gear and followed the fashion set’s annual pilgrimage to the mountain hamlet of Aspen with the opening of a holiday pop-up.
Upon arrival at the 1,960-square-foot Ephemeral boutique at the base of Elk Mountain, guests will see familiar mirrored columns that were inspired by the famous mirrored staircase at 31 rue Cambon. Walls are covered in soft white wool that reflect the surrounding snow-capped mountains. In addition to athletic ski outfits and urbanwear (for those who’d rather lounge at the Little Nell than hit the slopes) from the Fall/Winter 2019/2020 collection, the shop will also house designer Virginie Viard’s new Cruise collection — the ready-to-wear debut from Lagerfeld’s longtime right hand.
Viard’s bold reveal consists of multiple iterations of the iconic tweed jacket and vacation-ready looks, including uniform-style outerwear feminized by floral-embroidered chiffon vests and jewel-toned separates that are juxtaposed with cream, white and pastel hues. Fashion-forward snow bunnies can snap up accessories such as skis, earmuffs, hats, scarves, gloves, the new Chanel 19 handbags, the J12 watches and fine jewelry. The Chanel Ephemeral pop-up boutique will be open through Jan. 21.
416 E. Cooper Ave., Aspen, Colo., 970-544-2077.
Feature image: The CHANEL Ephemeral pop-up.
Dec. 18, 2019
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