The invitations for Karl Lagerfeld’s spring 2013 Chanel show specified “no smoking,” a reference to his omission of smoking jackets in this season’s collection. Instead, there were large, marble-sized pearls on everything from bib necklaces to silk dresses, tweed jackets, and belts. Models were strapped into chunky platform shoes with contrasting stripes, and carried enormous flying-saucerlike hats with clear plastic brims. There were lots of babydoll dresses in colorful tweed, delicate pleats, and embroidered florals, and the jackets were square and cropped.
But enough about the clothes! What about the celebrities, of whom there were multitudes? Jennifer Lopez made up for the lack of Hudson Kroenig’s runway presence by bringing her small daughter, Emme, who wore a darling pink dress and matching shoes with ruffly socks. Accompanied by Casper Smart, they sat in the front row next to Lagerfeld muse Baptiste Giabiconi, who for reasons unknown made the faux pas of bringing a large, monogrammed Louis Vuitton bag to his seat.
Also in attendance: Kanye West wearing what appears to be fancy scrubs, Laetitia Casta, Ines de la Fressange, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, and more. But Karl must always be the belle of his own ball, and so he was, striding down the tiled catwalk (it somewhat resembled a pool deck, no?) in a festive candy-striped shirt, matching tie, and a wonderful toggle-button jacket. See all the attendees in our slideshow.