Looking Back - Chanel at the Schloss

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Feb 21, 2019
by Salzburg Global Seminar
Looking Back - Chanel at the Schloss

Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron remembers hosting the late Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel's Austrian-inspired collection

A drawing of Schloss Leopoldskron by Karl Lagerfeld which was gifted to the hotel as a token of appreciation

Staff at Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron were sad to learn iconic designer Karl Lagerfeld passed away on Tuesday. We remember hosting his show in 2014 where he unveiled his pre-Fall 2015 collection for Chanel.

This show brought together the great and good of the fashion world and brought Leopoldskron to life in a new and exciting way. Our thoughts remain with Mr. Lagerfeld’s family and friends.

The article below was first published in December 2014.


Schloss Leopoldskron, home of Salzburg Global Seminar, has played host to people from across a multitude of backgrounds in its 400 years – from politics to business, civil society to the arts – providing many with “pure inspiration.” This month, the historic Schloss hosted the great and good of the fashion world as world famous designer Karl Lagerfeld unveiled his pre-Fall 2015 collection for Chanel.

Speaking from the lakeside terrace of Schloss Leopoldskron, Lagerfeld explained to Vogue magazine about his choice of venue: “Schloss Leopoldskron is where Max Reinhardt founded the Salzburg Festival. This was the seat of intellectual and cultural creative genesis.” 

In an exclusive interview with Salzburg Global Seminar after the successful show, Lagerfeld spoke warmly of his own memories of Schloss Leopoldskron, having visited previously and long held a fascination with the palace's history.

“I know Schloss Leopoldskron very well,” said Lagerfeld. “We took great photos here already 26 years ago... For me, the Schloss belongs to the history of the German-language theater and culture between 1920 and 1938, together with Max Reinhardt. These things are very dear to my heart.”

Following in the footsteps of Coco Chanel and her own Austrian experience in the 1930s when she saw a hotel bellboy’s jacket that inspired her famous braid-trimmed jacket, Lagerfeld’s “Paris-Salzburg 2014/15 Metiers d’Art collection” incorporates elements of traditional Austrian dress with a modern, fashionable twist.

A short film – Reincarnation – chronicling Coco Chanel’s bellboy encounter and starring model Cara Delevingne and singer Pharrell Williams premiered in Salzburg ahead of the December 2 show at Schloss Leopoldskron.

In the two weeks leading up to the show, the international team of Chanel had exclusive use of Schloss Leopoldskron as the whole of the first floor of the palace was transformed into an unorthodox catwalk with models such as Delevingne, Kendall Jenner and Lara Stone parading down the stairs to the Venetian Room and the White Room, through the Marble Hall, to the Chinese Room and the Max Reinhardt Library. 

Accompanying the sumptuous buffets in every room, additional period furniture was brought in, with floors re-polished, rooms re-painted and details re-fixed especially for the star-studded show. 

As well as actresses Rooney Mara and Geraldine Chaplin and singer Lily Allen, guests also included Salzburg Global Seminar’s own Vice President and Chief Program Officer Clare Shine and Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron General Manager Daniel Szelényi.

“We often tell both our Salzburg Global Fellows and hotel guests that this magnificent building isn’t a museum – it’s a living, breathing space. Reinhardt famously said that he had ‘lived every room, every table, every chair, every light, and every picture’ here at Schloss Leopoldskron. That Karl Lagerfeld has taken the same approach with his show is a great honor to Reinhardt,” said Shine.

“We were delighted to have Chanel choose Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron as the location for their pre-Fall show,” said Szelényi. “We are especially delighted with the various detailed improvements they were able to deliver for the show, which will continue to help us in our transformation and stewardship of this beautiful building,” he added.

Coverage from Chanel: