After a day and a half of reading the twitter frenzy about Karl Lagerfeld being in New York City, I decided to head to the lower east side to see the spectacle for myself and shoot some photos. I almost didn’t go due to a prior engagement, but thankfully a few fellow fashion bloggers on twitter convinced me it was worth it, and I skipped my other event.
Lets just say it was DEFINITELY worth it. I not only met Freja and Abbey Lee, but also the Kaiser himself– KARL LAGERFELD!!!! But I’m getting a bit ahead of myself…
When I arrived on the set, the production had stopped for a lunch break. I found a bench to sit on and chatted with a few local store owners about the shoot. Most seemed pretty excited about it. After a short while, I noticed Freja about twenty feet away from me, smoking. Soon after, she went back to her trailer. And emerged with Abbey. They both went back and forth between two trailers about three times while I watched. Freja kept looking at me funny for taking photos (no one else was around at this point), but finally smiled:
While I was waiting for Karl to appear, I made a new friend:
I didn’t have to wait long though. After about five more minutes, a charter mini-bus arrived with Karl, his bodyguard, and more crew.
Once the models were ready, Karl got back in to the cherry picker, ready to shoot again.
The first shot was Abbey on the fire escape:
Furry boots, waiting to be used.
The second shot was Freja, walking down Orchard Street:
His assistant checks the camera settings.
While Karl photographs each look, a small army of assistants stand by, ready to be beckoned:
Stylist assistant with alternate handbag options.
After the shot was complete, Karl and crew gathered around the monitor to see the results:
The girls returned, wearing Chanel’s signature tweed:
I want this bracelet so badly!
When shooting resumed, Freja and Abbey posed together:
The crew figured out which looks still needed to be photographed:
After, everyone takes a peek at the completed shots:
The third look was winter whites:
Freja and Abbey goofed around while Karl got ready:
Bringing the male model in:
I really just don’t know what to say about this look.
I tried to get a photo with Abbey, but she was called away by a crew member. She apologized profusely, but I told her it was ok.
Freja posed sitting in the street for her next solo shot:
Realizing the sun was quickly setting, Karl walked down Orchard looking for the location of his last few shots. He settled on another fire escape, this time in red.
I took a quick video of Karl in action. Wendy from Nitrolicious does the intro:
Checking the results after the shoot:
Large crowds had been watching the action most of the day. I was surprised to see designer Katie Gallagher, who’s show I attended last month, walk by to see it for herself.
Freja changed into her last look, and took a short break while Karl snapped some personal photos:
The very last shot was Freja on the fire escape:
After that, the shoot wrapped! Wendy, who I’d been hanging out with on set all day really wanted to get a photo with Karl. So we hung around for a bit, then started walking back to the trailers with all of the crew. On the way, Abbey and Freja walked right past me. I asked if I could now get a photo with both of them, to which they kindly obliged:
I’m 5’9″, but I felt very short.
(And I swear none of us have demon eyes in real life).
Karl stopped in front of his trailer to talk to his coworkers. Wendy asked his bodyguard if we could get photos, and he told us not yet, to wait until Karl was done talking. After about five minutes, Karl looked over and we made eye contact. I knew that was our chance. I put my hands up and mimed taking a photo, then pointed to Wendy and I. And he nodded ok!!! We both got our photos with Karl, and thanked him profusely.
I’ve been lucky, in the past year I’ve met so many great artists, designers, and musicians that I admire. I never would have dreamed that I’d one day meet Karl. He truly is a living legend. And despite what people might think, he was very kind! In person, he seemed very quiet and almost a bit shy. Thanks Karl and Chanel for coming to NYC and letting us all take photos on set!
See the full photo set here.
All Photos and Content ®2010 RS/The Greyest Ghost
Please do not reproduce with out prior permission.
Those are amazing shots! Great job.
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Thank you!!
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very very cool! One thing that bothered me…why is there a pill dispenser in the makeup artists’ box? LOL!
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Thanks! I saw the pill box too, and I’m not sure. Maybe it’s used to store something else?
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Lovely!!
great job!!
kiss,
Lorena
http://www.blocdemoda.com
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Thank You Lorena!
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Love! You got some amazing shots.
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Thank you!!!
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Good job
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Amazing pics! I love the fact that they used authentic looking synthetic fur for the pieces too!
http://www.iamaltamoda1.blogspot.com
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best post ive read all week from the net. heh.
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Aww thank you!!!
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OMG, you’re so lucky. Envy you…
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OMG! Amazing pics, thanks for sharing! lucky, lucky you!
exchange links? 🙂
http://wonderwool.wordpress.com/
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wonderful photos! i love all work of lagerfeld! may i please use some of these pics in my blog too referring yours? thanks:)
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This must have been an awesome experience!!! Abbey and Freja look great, your photos are real amazing! =]
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Thank you so much!
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Hi! great photos!!! Can I use in my blog??? Please! Thanks!
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Adore your post, fab pics and great behind the scenes insight! xx
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Thanks!!! : )
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jealous jealous jealous jealous jealous jealous jealous
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You just need to move here and be my event buddy!
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the bags are from F/W 2010 riiight? : )
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Yep! Everything they are wearing is f/w.
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Oh i love this ! great shots…and wonderful commentary ….saw this on IFB ..on the post u left…glad i checked it out …
cheers my dear !!!
🙂
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i reallyreally enjoyed this post! thanks for going out there and taking great photos!!!
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Thank you Jennine! I’m so glad you liked it, it was a lot of fun to shoot!
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Abby and Karl 2 of my favourite people. Ohh Chanel how I love thee!
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This is so incredibly exciting for you! And I saw Wendy’s post earlier. How fun that you guys got to hang out.
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hey rachel!
WOW awesome! i saw it on wendy’s site…didint know you know her hahah so funny, i check her site like everyday!
if you have a chance to send our 3D pictures over i would love it, cause im making this photobook of NYC and want to include our pictures! i didint notice ed filmed while we were in the irish pub!!! hahah he did!
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WOW!! I read Wendy’s post too, how amazing I dont know if I could have resisited clinging onto Karl and asking him to adopt me, thanks for sharing all your photos xx
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Haha it was hard not to swoon over Karl.
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If I didn’t read the intro, I would’ve thought that you were taking production stills for Chanel! I love love love this post.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
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Thank you, that’s such a great compliment! Glad you like the post so much!
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THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH FOR THIS REPORT
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You’re welcome! So glad you enjoyed it. : )
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OH MY
would love to be there to
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I love chanel http://freakdelafashion.blogspot.com/
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Great viewpoint – Its an interesting behind the scenes look at how it all works
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