Cara Delevingne Just Designed the Perfect Fall Capsule Collection

Cara Delevingne is no stranger to a great fashion collaboration, but her capsule collection with the Karl Lagerfeld brand just might be her most special yet. The 44-piece line, aptly named Cara Loves Karl, is a celebration of the special bond between the actress/model and esteemed designer and their shared affinity for sleek and wearable fashion with a twist. This project was years in the making, and Delevingne worked closely with the French fashion house to create a tailor-forward collection that anyone can wear.

In addition to featuring transformative styles, such as a shirt with a removable collar and a cozy bomber jacket that is reversible, it was important to Delevingne that the collection also be genderless and size inclusive and feature sustainable materials. In Lagerfeld’s beloved palette of black, navy, and white, the ready-to-wear pieces and accessories are unquestionably cool and a perfect addition to any fall wardrobe. Personal faves include the shearling mini bag and the crisp white button-down that can be converted into a crop top. 

In anticipation of the big launch, we chatted with Delevingne about designing her perfect genderless collection with the Karl Lagerfeld brand and the pieces we can expect to see her wearing all season long. Check out the interview below and shop our favorite items before they’re gone. 

Karl Lagerfeld described you as the "Charlie Chaplin of the fashion world.” How would you describe him?

Everyone knows that Karl was an incredible visionary, but more than that, he was an extraordinary person. His personality was infectious, and I was always so grateful to be in his presence. He was so inspiring and believed in me when a lot of others didn’t. Karl really helped me build my confidence up. I adore him and feel lucky to have called him a dear friend.

What is one of your fondest memories of working with Karl?

My fondest memory working with Karl was hearing his fascinating stories and picking his brain. He had such an amazing creative vision, and he always encouraged me to be creative and to share my ideas with him in return. I miss him so much, but this collection was a great way to reconnect with him, and I think he would be proud of it.

In creating a genderless capsule collection, what design elements were important to you?

I personally dress in a way that allows me to play with gender, so I knew this collection needed to be genderless. I don’t want the clothes to wear the people. I want the people to wear the clothes. I wanted to give people clothes that they could make their own and wear in their own unique way and on their own terms. When creating this collection, it was important for me to incorporate Karl’s personal style, which was timeless, classic, chic, and always with a twist. We also paid such close attention to detail, and the pieces are really high quality.

When thinking about the initial designs for the collection, what were some of the references on your mood board?

I took inspiration from everywhere, including fashion, film, television, and travel, and infused it with Karl’s personal style. Karl was always pushing the bar of fashion, and I wanted to create a collection of transformable pieces that felt timeless. I wanted to create something different and something I’d never done before but something that seemed like it should be done.

How does this collection reflect what you are currently loving right now?

The genderless aspect of the collection reflects my personal style. I think clothes should have the ability to be worn by everybody. This collection is inclusive, and it doesn’t matter how you identify. It’s such a beautiful thing to see people express themselves through fashion, despite what society has told us to do. It’s amazing to see how people are embracing their individuality and taking fashion and flipping it on its head. I love how there are pieces in this collection for everyone.

Can you speak to the sustainability element of the collection and why it was an important piece to you?

I live my life with sustainability at the forefront, so I knew the collaboration had to be sustainable as well, and we were able to incorporate eco-conscious materials like recycled nylon and organic cotton into the collection. At Karl Lagerfeld, they are always innovating and doing things that make a difference, which fits in perfectly with who I am and what I believe in. I feel so lucky to be in the position I’m in right now, where I can try to make a difference in this world because there’s so much that needs changing right now. When people wear this collection, I want them to feel good knowing where it came from and knowing what it’s made of.

Did anything surprise you about creating a sustainable collection?

One thing that is tough about creating a sustainable collection is that it costs a lot more and it’s a lot harder to do, but if you’re able to pull it off and show that it can be done and that it is possible, then it’s very rewarding. Another thing that surprised me about creating a collection was the amount of editing and revisions involved. During my design meetings, I would stay for hours because I had so many ideas, and narrowing them down proved to be the hardest part at times. Luckily, Hun Kim, the design director of Karl Lagerfeld, understood my vision and was able to guide me through the process. 

What pieces from the collection are you most excited to wear this season, and how will you be styling them?

I absolutely love the reversible bomber jacket. It’s very practical because I can style it using the brighter side or the darker side, depending on my mood that day. It stands out because it’s a colorful piece within a collection of chic and understated staples. All my friends have been trying to steal it from me—it’s that good!

Which item would you say is the collection workhorse?

The longline tuxedo gilet is a staple piece. It feels so sophisticated and timeless. I love that it can be worn on its own as a dress or utilized as a chic layering piece. I’ve been traveling with the collection in my suitcase lately and putting my friends in the pieces so I can take pictures of them. It’s been very interesting to see how everyone puts their own twist on it.

There are some really cool outwear pieces in the collection. What do you look for in a great jacket or coat?

I look for well-made, quality staple pieces when it comes to a great jacket or coat. I need my clothing to be practical, wearable, and comfortable. I also appreciate versatility in my pieces because I love to be able to switch up my style depending on my mood. That’s why I’ve been living in my reversible faux-fur bomber jacket from the collection!

Looking ahead to fall, what five pieces (not necessarily all from the collection) will be on heavy rotation in your wardrobe?

A great bomber jacket, a classic blazer, a crisp white button-down, a perfect-fitting pair of denim, and a timeless pair of trousers.

For more, check out the entire Cara Loves Karl collection here.