Lagos meets Paris in the gloriously hued Karl Lagerfeld x Kenneth Ize collection
If two stars were ever destined to align it was those of Karl Lagerfeld and Kenneth Ize. The late, great icon and the rising star could both be described as fashion mavericks with an appreciation for authentic craftsmanship. And so it was that last year Carine Rotifeld, Karl Lagerfeld’s official style advisor, approached the Nigerian designer to create a SS21 capsule collection. “I was in shock at first to be working with such an established house but felt so honoured. I wanted to create unity with Karl’s legacy and create a conversation,” says Ize, who worked with design director Hun Kim to come up with this range of gender neutral, ethically produced silhouettes.
Just launched online at Browns, Farfetch and Karl Lagerfeld as well in the brand’s key stores, the collection brings Lagos and Paris together both in terms of inspiration and fabrication. “Karl was all about reinventing himself, so for me this feels like a unique opportunity to fuse my vision of fashion with Karl’s Parisian-chic attitude,” Ize explains. “For example, we’ve taken inspiration from the Igbo tribe in Nigeria with the Uli Body tattoo print that we added onto knitwear. You can see African crafts in a different way, and this is something that’s very important to me.”
Lagerfeld’s signature black and white palette is brought to life on harlequin print miniskirts and vests, as well as across a bold swirling print on silk shirts and Italian hemp trousers. Beautifully tailored blazers reflect Ize’s approach to elevated tailoring while fringed bags come covered in aso-oke, an artisanal fabric now synonymous with the designer. Knitwear is also key - all striped, slinky and sexy.
“It allowed me to play with the brand’s existing style codes and expand my own approach to design”
“This was such an incredible experience. It allowed me to play with the brand’s existing style codes and expand my own approach to design,” Ize concludes. “I would love to see everyone wear the collection who feels confident in it and loves it as much as I do. I can perfectly envision my friends wear this as well, and I am very excited to see who will be picking what.”
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Published on 15/07/2021