The brand collaborated with G.H. Bass on seven footwear styles for men and women.

IN FOR A PENNY: It’s always been easy to imagine Karl Lagerfeld‘s distinct profile — his jutting ponytail, high-collar shirt and prominent sunglasses — minted on a coin.

Now it’s a key detail of a footwear collaboration: the penny in penny loafers made by G.H. Bass for its sister company Karl Lagerfeld, both controlled by New York-based G-III Apparel Group. (The coin is actually silver in color, not copper, and bears the K/Autograph logo, too.)

The seven styles for women and men coincide with the 90th anniversary of the Weejuns penny loafer, and G.H. Bass’s 150th anniversary of shoemaking.

The slip-on shoes are offered in polished black, black-and-white or in black tone-on-tone Karl Lagerfeld Icon motifs. There is also a boat shoe interpretation with silver grommets. They retail for between 250 and 350 euros.

“Footwear has been an important part of our business for many years,” Pier Paolo Righi, chief executive officer of Karl Lagerfeld, told WWD. “This collaboration gives us an opportunity to build on that strength and broaden the category through the loafer, working with a brand that has real authority in this space.”

The late German designer was partial to custom, tight-fitting boots by the historic Parisian shoemaker Massaro, and it’s not clear if he ever wore loafers.

But he had strong antenna for trends, as does the brand’s current design director Hun Kim, who has seen preppy style come back, including polo shirts, rugby shirts and loafers.

Source link