Karl Lagerfeld’s “lesbian couture”

Karl Lagerfeld, head designer and creative director of international fashion house Chanel, has taken a stand by showing his support for the legalisation of gay marriage in France. Held at the Paris’ Grand Palais Spring 2013 fashion show last week, the designer sent two models holding hands down a catwalk wearing couture bridal gowns. The finale brides – models Kati Nescher and Ashleigh Good – were accompanied by Lagerfeld’s godson, Hudson Kroenig (as a page boy), as they strutted down the runway. 

The show finale has caused a ripple effect in the fashion world, drawing attention to gay rights. François Hollande, the president of France, plans to legalise gay marriage and allow same-sex couples to adopt and conceive children, although there is much opposition to this proposal in France. On 13^th January, hundreds of thousands of people marched in Paris to oppose this very law. 

Asked if his use of lesbian couture at his show was designed to support gay marriage in France, Lagerfeld replied: “Of course it was. I don’t even understand the debate. Since 1904 [in France] the church and state have been separate,” the designer told The Associated Press. He said people who consider marriage a sacred religious union can continue that tradition in their churches, temples, synagogues and mosques, but that all religions should tolerate gay marriage. We see many more in the fashion industry following suit and standing up for gay rights.

Gillian Horsley