Caroline Lebar
for Karl Lagerfeld

The two brands were inspired by their mutual passions for photography, elegance and irreverence, and have given shape to the capsule collection KARL LAGERFELD X AUBADE. Featuring lingerie and corsetry, the collection embraces an effortless rockchic attitude, that celebrates classic Parisian codes. Caroline Lebar, Head of Image and Communication for Karl Lagerfeld, reveals to the Best of Intima readers the maison’s creative vision and its stylistic approach towards the numerous topics which are taking center stage in the world of fashion... and lingerie.
What is luxury today?
Karl always used to say that his greatest luxury was being his own boss...And that is certainly the epitome of luxury. From a fashion perspective, I would say that luxury can reside anywhere: in the details of a model, in the design of a collar, in a particular fabric, in the care and attention with which a customer is greeted in a boutique. However, in essence, luxury lies not in knowing how much we have spent for an item, but in how it is worn and matched. To once again quote Karl, “luxury is the ease of a t-shirt in a very expensive dress”. And the collaboration between the KARL LAGERFELD fashion house and the AUBADE brand is the reaiaziation of this vision.

How would you define the style of the Karl Lagerfeld maison?
Karl’s objective was the creation of an accessible luxury brand, playful, with a touch of rock-chic and a strong Parisian influence.  He imbued it with his “signature” traits which he himself expressed: black and white, his famous white shirt and dark sunglasses... Hun Kim, designer for the brand and a long-time collaborator of Karl’s, has made this visionary heritage his in designing the Karl Lagerfeld collections. And it is on the basis of traits which the two fashion houses share that we have created this collection.

Are creativity and sustainability compatible in fashion?
The question implies that the two concepts are in opposition to each other while in actual fact they can be compatible; a greater focus on sustainability can not only enrich creativity, but also stimulate it, in fashion as in other realms.

What are the great challenges facing a more sustainable fashion?
Fashion is at the heart of our daily lives, of our intimacy. In this sense it should be representative of our society’s values and aspirations, including from an environmental standpoint. Karl Lagerfeld was one of the founding fashion houses of the Fashion Pact in 2019. Through this coalition, representing over a third of our industry, we aim to change the rules of the game, overthrow consolidated practices, increase general public awareness and create an active synergy uniting all the players in the field in order to find new solutions.
After all, the fashion industry employs a conspicuous number of people all over the world. An environmentally responsible approach should put the human factor at the
center of the value chain. The KARL LAGERFELD X AUBADE collaboration is perfectly aligned with this vision of responsibility and sustainability.


What is the maison’s outlook on the subject of inclusivity in fashion?
Does it influence your image of women and in particular your approach to designing collections?
The runways have always been the most representative showcase when it comes to “diversity”. At Karl Lagerfeld, we celebrate this point of view instilling it in our brand and through our collaborations. Our “Team Karl” comprises different cultures and dynamic backgrounds, we can boast over 25 nationalities and everything we do is imbued with this global spirit. The Karl Lagerfeld x Aubade collection is by definition inclusive, it celebrates elegance, the gracefulness of the female body in all shapes and sizes. Panties are available from an XS to an XXL, and bras from an A to an F cup.

Which female icons are you mostly inspired by?
Carine Roitfeld has been a long-time source of inspiration for the fashion house. She acts as our style consultant and was one of Karl’s closest collaborators. Also, for a long time now, we have had a strong affinity with Amber Valletta who was one of the most important super models during Karl’s life, as well as being an actress and an active militant on the sustainability front. In collaboration with her we are launching a collection of ecofriendly accessories for S/S 2021. What importance do you give to textiles in the creative process? Textiles are a fundamental element in design, and even more so in the creation of the Karl Lagerfeld x Aubade lingerie collection. Refinement and sophistication of the line are the fundamentals of this collaboration: we invested profoundly in Aubade’s know-how, combining it with the Karl Lagerfeld tenets. The delicacy of the details, such as the guipure embroidery, mesh embellishments and the elegant satin covered buttons are the result of this joint creation process.

Is there a textile you particularly cherish?
We particularly use satin, both for the embellishments as well as for total look. And it is one of the many we have in common with Aubade. For this collection we chose a satin mesh ensuring maximum comfort. Mr. Lagerfeld’s leitmotiv was “Embrassez le présent et inventer le futur”.

How do you see the future of fashion?
Our way of “embracing the present and inventing the future” is to celebrate Karl’s work, honoring it and ensuring it continues. The brand embodies this forward-looking spirit rooted in the present. To us this entails ongoing creation, innovation, being attentive and pushing our boundaries further every day.
Do you think the health crisis will change our relationship with fashion and influence consumer behavior?
Absolutely. We are witnessing a steep increase in online purchases. The crisis has changed the behavior of consumers, but also that of the brands. We were forced to take action rapidly and accelerate our digital transformation, while still ensuring a human approach, especially by involving our personal shoppers.

What role does lingerie play in the contemporary wardrobe?Lingerie is an essential element of the modern wardrobe. Whatever the day or the occasion, every outfit starts with intimates. Over the last years we have witnessed an evolution of the role of lingerie and today it is no longer confined just to the sphere of intimacy. As we see it, lingerie should be worn as an element which characterizes our outfit; the lace on a bra which is slightly visible from under a shirt, a sling top camisole worn under a tuxedo or biker jacket ... From a simple and functional lingerie element it has become a fashion accessory. Carine Roitfeld, style advisor for Karl Lagerfeld, embodies this trend. Known for her use of lingerie touches in her fashion collections, in her magazine “CR” as well as in her daily life, she has been a trailblazer in this sense.

Being sexy today for you means…
• being self-confident
• ambitious
• effortless
• elegant
• sophisticated
• timeless
• open minded
• playful

Tell us about the capsule created with Aubade...
The collaboration is a clear reflection of the aesthetics of the two brands. The concept is a bridge connecting our two worlds. Our creations combine the aesthetic of the “chic parisien”, signature of the two fashion houses, with Aubade’s expertise in the realm of lingerie and corsetry. The look is elegant and effortless, with that irreverent rock-chic Karl touch, and comes in the flagship colors of tuxedo black and ruby red.

Pictures below : Collection capsule KARL LAGERFELD X AUBADE

THE KARL LAGERFELD X AUBADE CAPSULE COLLECTION
A tribute to all bodies, the Karl Lagerfeld x Aubade capsule collection ranges from demure to daring lingerie and bra sets. Each piece is crafted from premium materials including guipure embroidery, mesh embellishments and elegant satin-covered buttons. The designs are available in a palette of classic tuxedo black and ruby red. The collection includes four bra shapes: corbeille coque comfort, triangle, triangle armatures and corbeille armatures in sizes ranging from A to F matched with four panty styles. The selected pieces are inspired by the tuxedo, a Karl Lagerfeld collection great classic. The look is completed by a waist-clincher in the two colors, a clip-on collar – a nod to the Karl Lagerfeld collar! – only in black, and a top with thin shoulder straps.