, the late German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld was 鈥渁 sort of vampire, taking the blood of other people.鈥 Known for his decades-long tenure at the helm of Chanel, the white ponytailed creative director took jabs at plus-size women and the #MeToo movement, photographed a model in blackface and yellowface in the distant year of 2010, and erroneously stated that Germany鈥檚 acceptance of Syrian refugees was an affront to Holocaust victims.
And yet, Lagerfeld is at the center of the Met Gala on Monday, May 1, a fundraising benefit known as 鈥渇ashion鈥檚 biggest night out.鈥 This year鈥檚 Costume Institute exhibition, 鈥淜arl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,鈥 will celebrate the icon鈥檚 life and work, with invitees simply asked to dress 鈥渋n honor of Karl鈥 (once they鈥檝e paid for their $50,000 ticket, that is).
If you were thinking that 国产吃瓜黑料 was more interested in Gore-Tex than haute couture, think again. It鈥檚 been at least six years since 鈥溾濃攁 trend marked by sporty, utilitarian outdoor wear鈥攆irst hit the scene, and 国产吃瓜黑料 editors have been wearing Salomon sneakers and puffers since long before those brands started showing up on runways. And so, in recognition of this evening鈥檚 festivities, we scraped the bowels of the internet for the most outrageous outdoor gear produced under Lagerfeld鈥檚 regime.
An $11,000 Fly Fishing Rod
The year is 2008. The world is deep in the throes of the Great Recession. And Chanel is selling a fly-fishing rod for the low, low price of around $11,456 USD. Fit for the 鈥減onciest angler on the planet,鈥 the rod comes with 鈥渁 set of meticulously tied, monochrome Chanel flies, complete with the famous 鈥榙ouble C鈥 logo on the gossamer wings,鈥 according to . In addition to being packaged in 鈥渁 rather fetching, quilted black leather box,鈥 this piece of gear shares a history with the brand鈥檚 eponymous founder and Coco Chanel, who honed her angling skills while dating the Duke of Westminster Hugh Grosvenor in the 1920s.
A $12,000 Bicycle
Also in 鈥08, Chanel rolled out a limited-edition bike as part of its fall Sport Collection, at the time. The $12,000 ride reportedly came with 鈥渁 signature-quilted bike bag on the rear and a mega-comfy seat for easy riding.鈥 Jennifer Aniston reportedly received the bike as a gift from Friends co-star Courteney Cox. 鈥淛ennifer said she wanted to start bike riding because it鈥檚 such good exercise. So Courteney sent her the new, ultra-chic Chanel bicycle,鈥 an alleged source close to the star told the celebrity gossip site . 鈥淐ourteney only sent Jennifer the bike two weeks ago but she already loves it! She goes out riding all the time.鈥
That $1,325 Boomerang
In 2017, Chanel came under fire for selling a black wood-and-resin boomerang, emblazoned with a double C logo. The brand was accused of appropriating Aboriginal culture. 鈥淟andmark copyright litigation was brought in the 1990s over rip-offs and copycats of Indigenous art, but further reform is needed,鈥 Queensland University professor Matthew Rimmer, an intellectual property expert, told the . 鈥淎s a good corporate citizen, Chanel should apologize fully, withdraw the boomerang from sale, and make appropriate reparations to Australian Indigenous communities.鈥 In a statement at the time, a Chanel spokesperson said the company 鈥渞egret[ted] that some may have felt offended.鈥