Lagerfeld on the New York Fashion Scene

Fashion's greatest Renaissance man Karl Lagerfeld made his signature debut in New York on Friday, as the dawn of his alliance with Tommy Hilfiger.

The designer behind both the house of Chanel in Paris and the Fendi company in Milan, 67-year-old Lagerfeld had his own collection, Lagerfeld Gallery, that was based in Paris. But he recently sold his name to Tommy Hilfiger's company and re-launched his company as Lagerfeld Collection, so the 2006 fall will see the debut of his new "accessibly priced" line.

In the future, the designer will have to split his time between Chanel, Fendi and Lagerfeld, so he will have to travel all the time between Paris, Milan and New York. Besides, Karl also runs a publishing company and works as a fashion photographer, so his schedule is extremely busy. Still, he wanted to hit the jackpot in New York too.

"There was something in me that always wanted to show in New York, I like being part of the scene," Lagerfeld said last week, on the afternoon before his show. "I'm very happy now to be in the three fashion centers of the world. I wouldn't dislike to do Tokyo too, but too much is too much, no?" the designer realistically added. He seemed very calm before his New York debut and extremely pleased to be working in America.

With his trademark white ponytail, sunglasses and gloves, Lagerfeld is an instantly recognizable figure. He spoke to reporters while relaxing in his new headquarters near the West Side Highway, an immense white-walled loft space that encompasses a design office and a photography studio.

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