Carla Bruni and Roger Federer Help Unveil Karl Lagerfeld Exhibit at The Met

ALL ABOUT KARL: Former French first lady Carla Bruni and Roger Federer showed up at the Metropolitan on Monday Museum of Unveiling by Art of Costume Institute's "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty"

Museum Director Max Hollein, Wendy Yu Chief Curator Andrew Bolton and Content Manager Condé Nast World Cup Anna Wintour headlined the morning preview. After their remarks, many of the several hundred members of the media thronged the exhibit, which highlights the confluence of the late designer's designs for Chloé, Fendi, Chanel and the Karl Lagerfeld brand. The creator died in 2019 at the age of 85.

Tory Burch, Thom Browne and Philip Treacy were among the designers present. Although Bruni doesn't do interviews, she told a few videographers that fashion is a gift that can help people feel better in difficult times.

This gift appears to have been given before, according to the dozens of smartphone-wielding people camping on Fifth Avenue in front of the Met's main entrance. Some have speculated which route Met Gala guests will take to get into the celebrity business. The event's "in honor of Karl" dress code is expected to translate to plenty of Chanel, Fendi, Chloe and Karl Lagerfeld choices. This black and white centered style was embraced by many types of media that poured into the Met's Temple of Dendur.

Browne, whose partner is Bolton, has been living the show for a while. “I think you can really feel the personal connection between Andrew and Karl. Of course, I have seen throughout the year that he has put it in place, the care and attention that he has put into it. You really see it on the show,” Browne said.

What some might not appreciate is the amount of intellect and thought that goes into in Bolton shows, the designer said. "I often tell so many people that Andrew is the most important person in fashion because he elevates fashion to a level worthy of being at the Met. The work he does is so important. The energy generated by Andrew's work is overwhelming. It's amazing how excited people are to see his shows. It's a testament to the importance of his work and how many people enjoy seeing his shows." said Browne.

Miki Hagasi of Kaleidoscope Consulting agrees: "It's never just an exhibition of costumes or a pageant. It's extremely analytical but still fulfilling too. Of course, in the end, like any other exhibition in a museum, it is extremely educational. I like that it's not too black and white or too cramped. It is based on a strong concept. It's visually and intellectually compelling. How you present things, whether it's an exhibition or a book, is so important. Andrew really pulled it off."

The peripheral economic effect of Karl's fever can be seen in the black and white portraits of Lagerfeld in Bergdorf Goodman's Fifth Avenue Windows and Lagerfeld's Sketches...