It could be said that Karl Lagerfeld had already auditioned for his role with the house of Chanel years before the atelier confirmed his appointment. The designer, known for his stellar fashion vocabulary, was a master at interpreting brands he collaborated with, including Chloe and Fendi, positioning each distinctly, ensuring none overshadowed the other.

In 1983, Lagerfeld made his debut at Chanel , marking both his initial foray into high fashion and the beginning of his legendary tenure. Speaking to WWD ahead of his show, Lagerfeld, as always, was candid about his inspirations and shortcomings. His reflections included an ode to Chanel’s 1920s and 1930s timeline, specifically noting the varied hemlines that once defined her work. “She did hundreds of lengths,” he remarked. To honor a

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