ELEGANCE IS AN ATTITUDE
San Marcos outlet mall says bonjour to luxury Parisian label
Besides tempering the oppressive heat, there’s another reason to pull out a hand fan this summer. Karl Lagerfeld Paris, the label founded by the famously accessorized designer, is opening its first location at the San Marcos Premium Outlets.
Though Lagerfeld became a household name for contemporizing legacy houses like Chanel, Chloé, and Fendi, his eponymous line gave him a chance to create his own brand identity. Founded in 1984 — only a year after he took over the reins at Chanel — the label was perhaps closest to his personal style — often using a monochrome palette and stiff white shirting.
Following his 2019 death, the designer also left his house with a complicated legacy. Especially in his later years, Lagerfeld became just as well-known for his controversial comments as his fashion genius. This year’s Met Gala, introducing a retrospective of his work, was heavily criticized on social media for not considering his offensive views on obesity, Islam, and the Me Too movement.
Today, the label is under the umbrella of G-III Apparel Group, whose portfolio includes other ‘80s powerhouses like Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and Sonia Rykiel. Design director Hun Kim works closely with former Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Carine Roitfeld on the line, modernizing Lagerfeld’s archival design language.
The Paris diffusion line carries a slightly lower price point and a younger aesthetic. Black and white are still dominant, joined by florals, logo prints, and pop graphics featuring cartoon versions of Lagerfeld and his beloved cat, Choupette. According to a release, the San Marcos shop will feature ready-to-wear fashion for women, accessories, shoes, and handbags.
The Karl Lagerfeld Paris store adds to an ever-growing portfolio at the shopping destination. Recently, the property welcomed Longchamp, MCM, and Valentino to an already stacked honor roll.