(Sneak Peek: Signed Karl Lagerfeld self-portraits)
Today I paid a visit to André Balazs’ office in Soho. The lovely Claire Darrow (creative director at Andre Balazs Properties) walked me around the spanking new office as we chatted about interesting tales that just occurred at their Miami property. In essence, Karl Lagerfeld, who normally shows his Cruise collection in Paris, decided to show in Miami this year…and what better building to showcase the collection than the regal lagoon-sized pool at the Raleigh Hotel?
(A ‘Chanelified’ Raleigh)
If you haven’t been to the Raleigh yet, consider it the sister version of LA’s Chateau Marmont complete with that “tucked away hidden feeling”. The pool was voted “the most beautiful pool in the world” by Life Magazine in the 50′s. I know this because The Raleigh was one of my first jobs in South Beach growing up. I remember meeting Esther Williams in the lobby as she checked into the hotel in the early 90′s. We spoke about the glamor, the stories, and her era as a water babe. Eartha Kitt checked into the hotel that same week!
(Esther Williams in 1950′s. Making the Raleigh pool stuff of legend)
Anyway, flash forward to today — Karl checked into, yes, the Esther Williams suite last month. He invited his friends Anna Wintour and Diane Kruger to come see the show. The international fashion blogosphere was on it like “white on rice”. The pictures were up all over the place from WWD to Bazaar.
What you haven’t seen yet are these pictures here. I took out my spy camera at Claire’s desk to snap these Karl self-portraits he sent as a gift (notice his subtle self-clicker in hand). Featured in the portraits are his synchronized swimmers who dove into the pool one by one, a’la Busby Berkeley style (wearing Chanel bathing caps, of course) and formed the double-C logo as the grand finale… only in Miami, folks.
(A moment before the big show)
If you want to escape proper next time you head to Miami, get yourself booked into The Raleigh and soak in the pool yourself. It’s saved my life a few times.
J
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