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This is How Olivia Palermo Styles Karl Lagerfeld

Olivia Palermo

Karl Lagerfeld styled by Olivia Palermo. Photo by Chris Colls. Courtesy Karl Lagerfeld

“The beautiful fashion and inspiring women are some of my favorite things about the Middle East,” Olivia Palermo told Vogue Arabia ahead of her trip to Dubai. The fashion entrepreneur and super influencer can be found at The Dubai Mall today for the pre-launch of her “Karl Lagerfeld styled by Olivia Palermo” collaboration. Bringing her New York touch to the Karl Lagerfeld  Parisian classics, Palermo reveals that the Rue St. Guillaume pleated dress “is probably my biggest must-have” from the collection that consists of five bespoke designs styled by her below. Read on to learn more about the collaboration.

What is your relationship with the brand? When did it start?
I’ve always had admiration for Karl and been a fan of his [namesake] brand but my relationship really started when my girlfriend Antonella became one the designers.

Karl Lagerfeld styled by Olivia Palermo. Photo by Chris Colls. Courtesy Karl Lagerfeld

How did this collaboration come about?
One day I was dressed in an iconic Karl button-down shirt and thought, wouldn’t it be a great idea if we collaborated on a collection that could infuse our two signature styles? We connected on working together in an official capacity and let our joint creativity guide the conversation from there. The rest is history.

Can you share a memory about Karl Lagerfeld that makes you smile today?
My fondest memory of Karl was actually the time we first formally met – outside of shows and events – having run into him at Teterboro airport and then taking off side-by-side on our separate flights.

What do you wish you could have discussed with Lagerfeld regarding this collab?
I do wish that Karl could have ultimately been the one to shoot the campaign but am so beyond thrilled with the final product that the wonderfully talented Chris Colls shot. We were all very fortunate that the collaboration was already in production at the time of Karl’s passing, so, there isn’t really anything I wish I could have discussed with him.

Olivia Palermo

Karl Lagerfeld styled by Olivia Palermo. Photo by Chris Colls. Courtesy Karl Lagerfeld

How do you approach style? What is your process?
I always want the style to highlight both parties involved so find it really important to think both of my own personal aesthetic but also that of the brand.

What are “Parisian classics?”
Parisian classics are effortlessly chic like leather pants, white button-downs, fabulous blazers, and tweed jackets.

What are “New Yorker classics?”
Nothing is more New York than a great, tailored suit.

Olivia Palermo

Karl Lagerfeld styled by Olivia Palermo. Photo by Chris Colls. Courtesy Karl Lagerfeld

Overall, this collection embodies an edgier, sportier side, that we are not accustomed to seeing you in…
The collection embodies the international woman and includes a range of looks that could easily apply to a variety of situations the international woman may find herself needing to dress for. I used my travels and experiences in different cultures to inform my edit to ensure its wearability from Paris to New York and beyond.

Olivia Palermo

Karl Lagerfeld styled by Olivia Palermo. Photo by Chris Colls. Courtesy Karl Lagerfeld

Is there any sustainable aspect to this collection?
The designs in the collection are timeless and can be worn for seasons to come which is sustainable in itself.

What is your five-step guide to putting together a look?

  1. Start with looking at your schedule or the occasion so that you’re dressing appropriately for your environment.
  2. Next, consider your mood so you are dressing to feel like the best version of yourself.
  3. Always think about how your hair and makeup contribute to the story you are telling with your outfit.
  4. Polish off any look with a layering piece like the universally chic leather jacket or fashionably functional boucle coat.
  5. Finally, complete the storytelling with the perfect accessories.
Olivia Palermo

Karl Lagerfeld styled by Olivia Palermo. Photo by Chris Colls. Courtesy Karl Lagerfeld

You are always on-the-go. What is your number one tip to staying organized?
Staying organized on-the-go is about utilizing bags within bags. This way the contents of whatever is in those bags are easily transitional from one handbag, carry-on, or suitcase to another. Karl Lagerfeld styled by Olivia Palermo launches worldwide June 27

Olivia Palermo

Karl Lagerfeld styled by Olivia Palermo. Photo by Chris Colls. Courtesy Karl Lagerfeld

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