Karl Lagerfeld to launch capsule collection with Vans on September 7

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Aug 24, 2017

Karl Lagerfeld has inked a deal with American street style brand Vans to create a capsule collection of footwear and ready-to-wear which will be launched at retail worldwide on September 7.
 
Consisting of 12 looks that reinterpret classic Vans’ styles, the collection will be unveiled to the trade initially at Berlin fashion salon Bread & Butter, scheduled from September 1 to 3. Entitled Vans x Karl Lagerfeld, the collection will be available in select boutiques of Karl Lagerfeld and Vans, as well as on vans.com and karl.com.

Designed to bring “a Parisian-chic twist to Vans’ timeless classics,” according to a joint release, the selection will include logo T-shirts and sweatshirts; tops featuring the German designer in a checkerboard tie; black and white raglan bombers; and leather backpacks and caps.
 
In a busy year for the house of Karl Lagerfeld, this spring the brand signed an agreement to create a colour cosmetics line with Australia’s ModelCo; launched a jewellery line with Swarovski and inked an exclusive agreement with BNS Group to distribute the designer’s products in Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. The Paris-based house also plans to launch a men’s tailored collection in North America in 2017. Karl Lagerfeld’s network currently is composed of some 80 mono-brand stores and an important international wholesale presence, while the karl.com site delivers to 96 countries worldwide. And to think that Lagerfeld also finds time to be the creative director of two great luxury brands – Chanel and Fendi.

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Vans began life in 1966 when two brothers, Paul and Jim Van Doren, opened a store in Anaheim, California selling rubber-soled shoes; going on to become the preferred footwear of 70s skateboarders; instantly recognizable through their checkboard and side-stripe patterns – gaining global attention after Sean Penn wore Vans Slip-Ons in 1982 youth cult movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High. By 2011, Vans had broken through the one-billion-dollar in annual sales ceiling, powered by diversification into snowboarding and water sports, as well as collaborations with the likes of rock band Metallic; Disney characters and Beatles iconography.
 
Next month, Karl will also unveil six interpretation of signature Vans looks - from SK8-Hi Laceless Platforms in quilted luxury leather to a Classic Slip-Ons finished in K-quilted detailing.
 
“This exciting collaboration is a fusion of Vans’ classic style and Karl Lagerfeld’s iconic design,” said Vans Senior Footwear Designer Angie Dita. “As a tribute to Karl Lagerfeld’s fashion DNA, we highlighted elements like boucle fabric and K-quilted stitching and we reinterpreted Vans’ signature checkerboard pattern with Karl’s cameo silhouette motif.”
 
In keeping with Lagerfeld’s no-pain-at-the-cash-register strategy, prices range from €50 to €300.