Karl Lagerfeld is not shy to taking on impersonations and roles. A year ago in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar, Lagerfeld dressed up in his fantasy role of thugged out and cypher flowing rapper KL – apparently the man loves himself some rap. This time around with “Coco Avant Chanel” hitting the screens on September 25th, Bazaar asked him to do an impersonation of Coco as if she were rendezvous-ing today. This subsequently led to KL as Madame Chanel calling himself “idiot Karl”. Self-realization is the bees knees coming from this man.
Harper’s Bazaar: What’s the chicest age to be?
Coco Chanel: It took me 100 years to come back. I’m 40 again!
HB: What are your thoughts on how women dress today?
CC: They say old elegance is apparently dead, so I have to invent a new one.
HB: Your clothing liberated women in the 1920s. Are you still a feminist?
CC: I was never a feminist because I was never ugly enough for that.
HB: What would you change about your looks? Would you consider Botox?
CC: When I look at myself in the mirror, I think I’m pretty modern — whatever that means. But maybe I should change my makeup. In my day, the products were dreadful.
HB: Whom do you most admire in Hollywood?
CC: If in life I had been like the women I see in the movies, I would never have made it.
HB: What inspires you — architecture, an actress…?
CC: An actress. Why not? I was inspired by actresses in the past. However, my biggest inspiration is myself.
HB: Which artists would you surround yourself with?
CC: Jeff Koons to start with.
HB: What’s on your iPod?
CC: The Kills. They suit my character.
HB: Do you watch TV?
CC: TV seems as vulgar as a music hall in my mouth.
HB: You were famous for your paramours. Whom would you have an affair with today?
CC: I like handsome men, so there would be many possibilities, but dukes and princes are not the right escort for a woman like me today. I
like to charm younger men. This has not changed.
HB: Where do you holiday?
CC: If not my apartment, La Pausa. I have to look for a place in the South of France.
HB: Do you still smoke and tan?
CC: I am afraid yes, because the attitude of smoking looked great on me, as did a tan.
HB: What are you wearing now, classics or trendier fare like neon and animal prints?
CC: My own designs. If neons and animal prints are in my collection, I’ll wear them.
HB: What’s the new Chanel classic?
CC: As apparently my old jacket is still around, done by this idiot Karl, I have to help him find a new idea.
HB: Would you do any high-street collaborations? With whom?
CC: Adidas or Moncler. I love sport! Or Diesel for jeans. Jeans are chic now and not horrible like in my day.
HB: Who is your fashion nemesis, your modern-day Schiaparelli?
CC: I suppose nearly everybody in the business.
