A memorial for the late Karl Lagerfeld is being held at the Grand Palais in Paris this summer.
Titled “Karl For Ever”, the event has been organised by Chanel, Fendi and the designer’s eponymous brand to commemorate the life and work of the 85-year-old who passed away on 19 February 2019.
The memorial, which has been orchestrated by theatre and opera director Robert Carsen, is going to include video footage of Lagerfeld and his collaborators including Givenchy creative director Clare Waight Keller and model Gigi Hadid on a series of screens.
The venue will also host a range of interpretative dances, music and theatre performances based on Lagerfeld's work.
Taking place on the evening of 20 June during Paris Men’s Fashion Week, the event will be held at the Grand Palais – the iconic Paris venue where Chanel has presented its ready-to-wear and haute couture fashion collections since 2005.
Under Lagerfeld's creative direction, the space has been transformed into everything from a space station to a supermarket and has even seen a replica of the Eiffel Tower constructed within its walls.
The stage and two bars at the memorial will be wrapped in aluminium sheeting – of the designer’s favourite materials, according to Vogue.
Last month, Chanel held its latest cruise collection at the venue, transforming it into a Beaux Arts train station, with the models walking along a train platform next to tracks.
The show was the first held by Lagerfeld's successor, Virginie Viard.
“I wanted something full of life and unexpected,” Carsen told WWD of the invitation-only event, which will see some 2,500 guests in attendance.
“He once famously said, ‘A funeral? I’d rather die.’”
Bruno Pavlovsky, Chanel’s president of fashion, added that the event will be a “very powerful moment”.
“The memorial will be about Karl only: who he was, what he loved, what gave him his exceptional energy,” Pavlovsky said.
“I am glad we could join forces with Fendi and Karl Lagerfeld to create together an exceptional event that measures up to him, a tribute that truly celebrates the things he loved and that inspired him.”
“Karl For Ever” marks the first public event since the designer’s death, as he didn't want a public funeral and was instead cremated during a private ceremony in Nanterre, France.
His life has however been recognised at the Chanel and Fendi autumn/winter 2019 shows where David Bowie’s “Heroes” played during each finale.
Chanel also held a minute’s silence at the start of show, while Fendi screened a video entitled “54 Years Together” depicting Lagerfeld drawing a sketch of himself on his first day at the company.
