In his more than 35 years as creative director of Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld didn't design many menswear items. When he did, they were mainly for a coterie of handsome friends who populated his personal life and the occasional fashion show. About a decade ago, he made this double-breasted tweed jacket (probably for @bentoub), which I borrowed for a Chanel event and then flat out refused to return. The Chanel office asked for it back a few times, but I d quickly delete the emails without reading them and feign ignorance if they ever asked about it. What? I wasn t sure if I d ever have the opportunity to feel the way I felt in a design by the master again. A few years ago, I told Karl this story and he said, "A little opportunism is a good thing, no?" It was bittersweet to put the jacket back on for his memorial last night in Paris, which was hosted by Chanel, Fendi and his own eponymous line. About 2,500 admirers showed up at the Grand Palais to mark the passing of a man who was, in the truest sense of the world, a fashion legend. There were videos and live performances and, of course, a tribute to his feline companion, Choupette. (The cat nanny appeared in a video montage.) However, for me, the most touching parts of the memorial were the dance numbers, including a performance by Argentinian choreographer German Cornejo with 17 tango dancers and a 7-piece orchestra from Buenos Aries to a Carlos Gardel song from the 1930s (fun fact: Karl actually knew the tango), and @lilbuckdalegend s extended version of his famous Swan Dance to a song by Ryuichi Sakamoto. I never expected to be so moved by dance, which was a reminder that, even in death, I m still learning from Karl.
