Low cost Karl Lagerfeld

The German designer Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel's creative director, has created a new low cost fashion line for women  that will be sold exclusively at Macy's stores from next August 31, the U.S. chain of department stores announced today.

"Macy's for me are the perfect department stores in the U.S., where everybody can find what they're looking for without ruining their budget". So I'm happy to do this limited collection for them," said the renowned designer in a statement distributed by the U.S. company.

With prices ranging between 50 and 170 dollars (34 and 118 euros), Lagerfeld's designs will be available in Macy's 235 stores in the U.S., where customers can do with a fall collection "of sophisticated aesthetics that mix chic silhouettes with rich fabrics, "said the firm in the same press release.

"Karl's collection offers a contemporary twist on his genuine aesthetic and pieces which are versatile, easy to wear and have a modern twist," said the vice president and fashion director of Macy's, Nicole Fischelis, who noted that "the passion and creative genius" of the designer can be detected in the pieces.

The collection is called "Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse Only at Macy's" and is composed of a limited number of pieces, such as dresses, blouses, parkas, his popular turtlenecks and evening wear, while the colour palette include, pink, grey and touches of black highlights.

The more daring side of the collection comes from clothes with an air of "rock and roll," most notably a series of collectable shirts and comfortable jackets with crocodile motifs and matching tights.

"The unique collection of Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's is an authentic representation of his iconic style and adds a new dimension of affordable luxury for our customers," said Macy's advertising manager, Jeff Gennett.

agerfeld already has experience in "low cost" fashion, in 2004 he surprised everyone with the launch of a collection for Swedish retailer H & M, opening the way for other fashion icons to follow the trend.