HATS OFF: Karl Lagerfeld was known for his love of accessories, among them fingerless gloves, diamond brooches and customized iPhone cases. Though he rarely sported headgear, when in Saint-Tropez he favored a Panama hat — so he would surely have approved of his namesake brand’s new collaboration with Italian specialist Borsalino.
The hero piece of the capsule, set to launch on Monday, is a hand-woven, wide-brimmed straw Panama hat with a Borsalino x Karl Lagerfeld ribbon that retails for 449 euros. Each one comes with a bespoke box.
The five-piece lineup also includes black-and-white summer essentials including a silk-blend pareo and a tunic cover-up for women, in addition to a polo shirt for men, with prices starting at 199 euros.
A classic canvas tote bag rounds off the collection, which will be available in selected Karl Lagerfeld and Borsalino stores, and via their respective websites.
Though Lagerfeld passed away in 2019, his brand continues under creative director Hun Kim. Sébastien Jondeau, the German designer’s former bodyguard, confidante and personal secretary, is a longtime ambassador and men’s product consultant for the label.
Last November, the Karl Lagerfeld Jeans line, created to dress Gen X, collaborated with Amsterdam-based brand Atelier Reservé on a collection made with repurposed and deadstock fabrics. The brand has also produced collectible objects, most recently two limited-edition figurines designed in collaboration with Tokidoki.
Lagerfeld, synonymous with dark suits and sunglasses, set off by white shirts and a white ponytail, was fond of caricatures of himself. During his lifetime he immortalized himself as a Bearbrick; as a biker-jacket-wearing doorstopper, and as fur charms at Fendi.
