Tour the New Karl Lagerfeld London Store

As anyone who reads my Huffington Post blog will know, I recently had the pleasure of a tour of the brand spanking new European flagship store for Karl Lagerfeld on London's Regent Street, and I'm pleased to report that it didn't disappoint.

FASHION BOMBS: NEW HUMOR CHIC FROM ALEXSANDRO PALOMBO

Liked Banksy's Flower Bomber?  Love fashion?  Then have a look at this new work - these fun yet thought provoking illustrations by irreverent fashion satirist, AleXsandro Palombo, entitled 'Special Indignados' - over on his Humor Chic site.  While you're at it, have a look at his 'Anna Wintour, Who Killed Bambi?' anti-fur collection too - OUCH. NB. the project below has not been finished due to AleXsandro's ill health - wishing you better soon, fella. X

Anna Wintour

Grade Coddington who's apparently been hit by a frizz-ease bomb herself

Karl Lagerfeld (who will undoubtedly be livid to have his thighs portrayed this size)

Ralph Lauren

Terry Richardson

Vivienne Westwood looking saner than she has in years

SCREAM! KARL'S COMING

Fashion's hardest working designer, Chanel and Fendi's ingenious visionary, Karl Lagerfeld is launching a new affordable fashion range called Karl which will include everything from tees and trousers to sweats and biker jackets, with prices between £50 and £390.

What amazing news to wake up to.  Even better, it launches on 25th January 2012 so remember to save that Christmas money!  

Net-a-Porter.com will sell the womenswear collection exclusively for four weeks from 25th January, then after that the Karl label will be available from it's newly launched e-commerce site over at www.karllagerfeld.com - go there now to sign up for alerts about exactly what, when and where the collection will drop as pop ups, retail partnerships, a menswear line and an accessories range are also set to follow, as well as a Karl Lagerfeld Paris ready to wear line for autumn 2012.  Does this man ever sleep?

More after the jump if I can get near it - like his 2004 H&M colab, this is guaranteed to be another gone-in-60-seconds sell out.  

CATWALK CHEAT: CHANNEL CHANEL COUTURE IN UNIQLO'S BOWLER HATS

The key accessory from Chanel's stunning Autumn 2011 Couture show was undoubtedly the Bowler hat.

Karl Lagerfeld's mainly monochrome couture collection took inspiration from the brand's founder and former hat maker, Coco Chanel, with every look being sent out with a corresponding bowler. 

Worn on the back of the head, these iconic hats leant a rebellious, tomboy touch.

This trend has been around for a few years now, championed by celebrities including Mischa Barton and Daisy Lowe, and featured on the catwalks of Hermes (2010) and Sonia Rykiel (2008) amongst others, as well as being featured in Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle perfume ads, and looks set to hit the High Street in a big way this winter.

Check out these great Bowler hats in black, charcoal grey or brown wool from Uniqlo (below) for a very reasonable £19.90, available in store or online now.

All catwalk images courtesy of Chanel