Lagerfeld, head designer at Chanel for nearly 30 years, made his comments on the sidelines of the “Paris–Bombay” Chanel show at the Grand Palais in Paris. The pre-fall collection is inspired by the jewels, colors, and fabrics of India
He defended the fashion industry for its importance to the French economy and as a provider of many jobs.
As for the ratings agencies, the day that Standard and Poor’s warned it could downgrade 15 European countries, including France, Lagerfeld quipped: “Who put them in a position to give A’s?”
Chanel created for its show the luxurious palace of an Indian maharajah as the backdrop for its “anti-gloom” ready-to-wear collection.
Lagerfeld described the collection as “very elaborate, a lot more expensive than the normal ready-to-wear,” evoking the fantasy of India.
For the German-born designer, periods of economic crisis have no influence on creation. Besides, he added, there was “a lot more panic in 2008 than today.”