Karl Lagerfeld (French, born Germany, 1938) for Chanel (French, founded 1913). Boots, fall/winter 1993–94. White quilted nylon, black rubber with white inset lettering, black vinyl, black braided nylon and gilt chain ties, and black synthetic faux fur trim. Purchase, The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation Inc. Gift, 2007 (2007.17a, b).
By the 1980s, a decade after the death of its eponymous founder, the House of Chanel was seen to epitomize classic French taste. As an Establishment brand, it was a respected, but somewhat senescent, institution. All that changed with the appointment of Karl Lagerfeld as its creative director in 1984. Lagerfeld’s fabled sense of the moment and rich cultural knowledge quickly animated the house. His understanding of Chanel’s aesthetic vocabulary clearly did not preclude his iconoclastic interpretation. The ultimate post-modernist, Lagerfeld exaggerated the small details and nuances of the Chanel style with a boldly hyperbolized, contemporary exuberance. If anything, Lagerfeld has always been faithful to the irreverent attitude of the prewar Chanel, a savvy outsider who flaunted convention and turned taste on its head, rather than the pronouncements of the grand dame she became in the last decades of her life. With these boots, Lagerfeld exploited many of the Chanelisms he has made more legible to millions: black and white, diamond quilting, the interlocking “C” logo, the contrasting cap toe, and gilt chains.
February 19, 2008 at 9:08 am
i absolutely LOVED these boots after seeing them at the exhibit! it actually wasn’t what i was expecting from chanel, so i was very impressed!
February 19, 2008 at 11:03 am
OMG (oh my god) the chanel boots are FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!! I was wondering if these shoes are going up into the markets again soon for people! These are the best boots that are super stylish. They can go with any outfit! Even these boots are from 14 years ago they RULE in so many ways. Please put this comment it to a consideration. Thank you
February 19, 2008 at 11:03 am
I love the boots! I would buy them immedietly if they were in the stores. It is a bummer that they are no longer in the market. They are shic and hip. It is amazing that they are from around 14 years ago. they are TIMELESS!!!! Hopefully, they will last forever.
February 19, 2008 at 11:16 am
Theese boots are hippe and gangster they are not something I would wear
February 19, 2008 at 1:04 pm
True to Coco Chanel, who never avoided opportunities for brand promotion, but so taste-free. Like a joke.
February 19, 2008 at 4:21 pm
A true testament to 90s logo-mania.
February 19, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Laura, and how! Do you think Lagerfeld experimented with making the letters bigger? Certainly not smaller!
February 20, 2008 at 7:27 am
I must say that these certainly do not “epitomize classic French taste” but there is something in their gaudiness that appeals to me. My taste does tend to be a little over the top. And although I don’t think I would describe them as “timeless”, they do have a certain sense of futurism that have made them wearable even into the 21st century. A bit Jetsons meets Chanel, perhaps?
February 20, 2008 at 9:50 am
These are incredibly functional items as the thick “space sole cushion” keeps the feet well off the cold ground. I’d love a pair of these today.
February 20, 2008 at 10:01 am
i ll never go to ski without this chanel apres ski !!!!
February 20, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Love these!!!! Can’t you imagine Paris Hilton skiing with these on?!! LOL
February 20, 2008 at 12:16 pm
These boots are perfect for fashionable skiing and cold get togethers. These are the perfect option fro those fashionable people who insist to look good all teh time but do not want to wear ugly snowboots but are sensible enough not to wear 3 inch heels. They are weather appropraite plus stylish adn carrying a brand name.
February 20, 2008 at 12:42 pm
fantastic twist on a luxury sportswear item. Classic chanel attitude and outlook on fashion being functional but desirable.
February 20, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Logos do draw far too much attention to how much you’re spending and the fact that you want it so out in the open. Logos like that belong on freebies designed to advertise the company.
February 20, 2008 at 9:26 pm
it´s amazing how people react to those wonderful boots. aren´t those fresh pop ideas that maintain the kaiser on the top of the kingdom of madeimoselle coco chanel ?
i think it is.
February 21, 2008 at 9:40 am
the “Moon Boot” look is so fun. The idea that you put them on after a long day of skiing seems so flashy, but so cool. I know if I ever saw anyone wearing those boots I would immediately think highly of them.
February 21, 2008 at 1:12 pm
these boots are really unusual
wow
February 21, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Great boots for kids! I would buy them for grandchildren for apres ski, just lounging - but for public wear - no!
February 21, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I would like to thank Bitsy for giving us a great tour and a chance to see different fabrics. Thank You for this oppurtunity.
February 21, 2008 at 2:32 pm
There is nothing better than sitting here in the mountains in this west Texas town amongst cacti, coyotes, sand and wind to contemplate New York fastions such as these boots. Ah, I think, could they be as comfortable as my cowboy boots I wear to keep from being bitten by rattlesnakes when I’m out and about? Well, just maybe. They are lovely to behold.
February 21, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Oops, I mean, fashions. My computer gets away from me!
February 21, 2008 at 4:48 pm
very scene(london fashion style)
February 22, 2008 at 8:20 am
tm (tacky mess) but unfortunately I could see my friends wearing them
February 22, 2008 at 3:23 pm
lovely boots!
February 23, 2008 at 7:24 am
aren’t these a bit ghetto? like that kim girl that went to prison?
February 23, 2008 at 12:55 pm
These shows are so fashionable I would totally wear them.
February 23, 2008 at 12:56 pm
These boots remind me of the moon boots!
I do like them though i wish the words CHANEL weren’t so prominent on them.
February 23, 2008 at 4:26 pm
i LOVE these
boots i saw somthihng
like it but marc jacobs
=]
<33
February 24, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Love the shoes but the color is to gothic
February 24, 2008 at 1:51 pm
These shoes are kind of like the moon boots of today. They intrigue me. The boots are kind of likem a drapy kind of gold necklace, and then with the word “Chanel” and the fabric that the used. Seeing moon boots today made me interested of the ones from the past.
February 24, 2008 at 2:06 pm
i want theese boots no wait i NEED theese boots
haha
make love not war
peace out
February 24, 2008 at 3:18 pm
These boots are appalling….I can’t believe you’re comparing this to Marc Jacobs…Marc Jacobs is sooo much better!
February 24, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Very chic.. The white boot trimmed with black, and the gold chain accent perfectly represents Chanel’s classic style. Chanel has taken the moonboot and turned it into a sophisticated fashion statement.
February 26, 2008 at 1:22 pm
So fun, so tongue in cheek. Karl Lagerfeld is a genius.
February 27, 2008 at 10:23 am
my girl b swanson rocked boots like these in schoool
they are amazing now we all love mooon booots
:] ps carol loves them tooo <333
February 27, 2008 at 11:36 pm
i’ve loved these moon boots the minute they came out…im so glad to see them in this exhibition
February 29, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Wow, these were great boots…they remind me a lot of Uggs or Timberland boots. ^^ I loved the chains and “CHANEL”.
March 1, 2008 at 2:47 pm
These shoes, if one may stoop so low as to refer to them as such have brought me such misery with their gall, that i may never place a pair of shoes upon my tender feet ever again.
March 2, 2008 at 11:14 am
OMG!! Totally the new blinged out Uggs!
March 2, 2008 at 11:17 am
These boots have a very unusual theme, there are many things going on when you see these boots. The first thing I thought when I saw them was that they are very busy and are for someonewho fits that description of the boots, three words. Busy. Expenisive. Uggs.
March 2, 2008 at 11:54 am
I would definately take these boots with me if I was ever stranded on the 3rd Moon of Jupiter!!!
March 2, 2008 at 1:40 pm
No. Just flat out no, no mc no no. Tasteless AND most definatley not Chanel enough. these or my black sheerling boots from ugg? I’ll take the uggs for 75.
March 2, 2008 at 2:49 pm
This dress is very pretty.
March 2, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I think these boots are awful. They are a rip off of native american culture. they stripped the boots of meaning and didn’t add anything good. yuck.
March 3, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I absolutely love these boots! I don’t know how I feel about skiing in these boots; I would be too scared to use these boots. This leads me to wonder how functional the boots really are. The boots clearly show decorative design with the quilted fabric, gold chain, and faux fur trim.
March 4, 2008 at 11:36 am
well these boots just go to show you to what extent the french produce things with absolutely no insight and thought…do u actually believe ppl would go skiing with those??? ya go ahead in the snow and ruin a 400$ ( or possibly more) pair of boots!!
March 5, 2008 at 12:01 pm
i have chanel boots that my mom kept for like 15years
and i wear them today, they are really fashionable
March 5, 2008 at 4:22 pm
They are ahhhhhh kind of cool and kind of hilarious . But other than that it is cool.
March 6, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I think that this exhibition was an extreme downfall. The Peoples reaction t5o most of the presented items were as follos
“It looks like Abanien Gypsy suite”
“The lace was incomarable to any other tight fitting garment in todays society”
March 7, 2008 at 11:10 am
these boots are truly amazing!!! i love how Lagerfeld took the chance and experimented with the sytle of Chanel couture and the couture of france. Chanel is by far my favorite designer and by seeing these boots, i have become even more in love with her designs!!
March 8, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Great exhibition, so much fun. But I have to say that Olivier Theyskens’s evening dress for Nina Ricci is a monstrousity that reminded me of a volcano spewing lava, ashes and toxic fumes!
March 8, 2008 at 1:23 pm
LOVE them. absolutely LOVE them.
March 8, 2008 at 2:05 pm
i want them.
March 8, 2008 at 2:19 pm
oh, ew.
March 9, 2008 at 12:59 am
The chains screw with my ninja stuff. Otherwise, yeah, totally fashionable.
March 9, 2008 at 1:20 pm
This is a great exhibit. But there should be somewhere 4 children to b expreinced to learn in a fun way. but thanks alot!!!!!!!!
March 9, 2008 at 8:41 pm
These boot are a major MUST for fashionable people whom want to show their passion for fashion while trudging through the snow. I would love to own them. Although the fact that they are white, I would be way to scared to actually wear them out of my room, on the ground outside, in fear of scuffing or even letting the white come in contact with the dirt, considering they prob cost an arm and a leg!..
March 13, 2008 at 1:18 pm
These boots don’t represent Coco Chanel to me at all. They are not high end or unique. They are a common boot branded. There is nothing interesting about them besides the fact that wearing them will boost your social ’status’.
March 14, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I like it alot.
March 15, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I remember when these came out! I just don’t see how they’re practical in the snow..
March 15, 2008 at 5:32 pm
AWFUL. I love Chanel just as much as the next person, but moon-boots are made for one demographic: Astronauts. Don’t try to pass them as ski boots either because really, I wouldn’t be caught dead in them on the slope. Plus why would you want to look like a winter eficianado in a city where it hardly ever snows and rarely gets below freezing. Don’t fake a season, where it when it works.
March 15, 2008 at 5:52 pm
These boots were submitted for the Apollo 13 mission but were extremely toxic and flamable causing the deaths of several astronauts in preliminary testing.
March 16, 2008 at 10:16 am
These boots are fashionable but yet perfect. They are made for a supermodel. I love boots that are made for a purpose, but are cute at the same time!
March 16, 2008 at 10:41 am
I like these boots. they have a cool Holywood theme to them. So if you gave me the boots, i would say: “get those glasses on and Hello Hollywood!!!!!!
March 16, 2008 at 1:46 pm
the boots are too puffy
March 16, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I have to say I was a bit disgusted with the reactions here. Timeless? Not quite. These are MOON BOOTS. And, if that isn’t enough incentive for you, they look kind of like Uggs. I love Lagerfeld, but he is more futuristic than I often like. If you want something like this go buy some nylon Ugg style boots (blech).
March 18, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I have been impressed not nearly enough by Mr. Lagerfeld to admire him as the heir to the House of Chanel. He was better as the head of Chloe in the 1980s.
These are a disgrace to the legacy Chanel left behind.
Mme. Coco just rolled over in her grave.
March 18, 2008 at 3:26 pm
The boots represent absolutely nothing to me. They are tacky and cheap looking; totally forgettable - never fitting with the true Chanel image. They also look like a xerox, as if that is an intentional reaction. If anything, they may symbolize the shame in Coco’s passing and her predecer’s complete misunderstanding of her flattery in imitation.
March 19, 2008 at 11:49 am
These boots have a unique-designer- Chanel- appeal to them but other than that there really doesn’t seem to be much to them. Though, in general, I am not a fan of the desinger’s names being printed all over the item.
March 20, 2008 at 10:35 am
OMG-these boots are amazing! They are so beautiful, I would buy one in my size
Coco Chanel was a wonderful designer!
March 20, 2008 at 10:39 am
going to the moon?
March 20, 2008 at 11:18 am
Chanel? How about shapoopi! I would never wear this hunk of junk. I love Chanel but this is not their best work. They look like snow boots that I wouldn’t wear in public. They seem almost tacky or like a knock off brand because the brand name is written all over the boot.
March 20, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I am not a fan of the boots. They seem that if a person were to acually go skiing than they would need boots with less extra items and boots with more padding so that they would acually help you not hurt you.
March 20, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Hi
I like this musem. I would like it more if you put in more benches.
Thanks
March 20, 2008 at 2:25 pm
it’s so interesting to see how the current day “Moon Boot” has evolved from something so Chic…
March 20, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Pucci has made boots somewhat like this in silhouette in the past few years. I own his, however they feature a bright, psychadelic print instead of a quilted white. I love them.
March 21, 2008 at 1:57 pm
You have to be kidding me…
March 21, 2008 at 2:52 pm
AdoRible Shoess!!!
March 22, 2008 at 9:12 am
These boots epitomize form and function in fashion. Again and again, I believe Karl Lagerfeld has brought his own sense of style and extraordinary talent to the House of Chanel.
March 22, 2008 at 10:15 am
These shoes are absolutely gorgeous! i loove them! they are different & unlike anything i have ever seen before. It made my day to see that such gorgeous shoes are out there. =)
xoxo
March 22, 2008 at 10:22 am
they dont look as old as they are. this kind of thing is really in style now.
March 22, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Coco Chanel Is My Idol.
The Boots Are SO Pretty, I Actually Want A Pair Of Them.\
Chanel Will Never Be Unfashionable.
-x-
March 22, 2008 at 2:18 pm
OMG i love this!!!
i would sooo buy it if it didnt cost like a baziilllion dollars
March 22, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I love the boots they are so adorable!1!!!!!!!!!!
I would sssssssoooooooo buy them if I could!!!!!
This exibit is awesome.
March 22, 2008 at 8:47 pm
As creative director of The House of Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld has successfully designed whatever suites his fancy, and plastered a Double-C all over it.
People keep crediting Chanel herself with this design.
She has been dead since 1971.
This Frankenstein’s Monster excuse for ‘form and function’ is an embarrassment to her name.
March 23, 2008 at 1:34 pm
The chains on the boots make them look really cool.
March 23, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I love them.
What else can I say other then that they are
FIERCE BABY!!!!!!
March 23, 2008 at 4:06 pm
it soo kool i want them !!!!!^W^
March 25, 2008 at 9:32 am
i would wear them. well, maybe. but they are deliciously cute. (:
March 25, 2008 at 11:06 am
I loved these boots! So cute, especially for skiing!
March 25, 2008 at 11:32 am
these cloths are fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this part of this musuem is extrodanary!!!!!:-D
March 26, 2008 at 11:52 am
these are so expensive whats the point of wearing them out if, you can easily mess them up? you would never wear them so there is noo point of getting them!
March 26, 2008 at 12:58 pm
those boots are of very bad taste
March 26, 2008 at 1:19 pm
These boots are stunning!! Coco Chanel is a genius!! I wish I could have them!!!
March 26, 2008 at 1:40 pm
these are the hottest boots i have ever seen.
long live chanel!
March 26, 2008 at 5:57 pm
JUST FABULOUS. CANNOT EXPRESS ANY WORDS….
March 27, 2008 at 6:10 pm
What needs to be taken into consideration is the cultural reference that these boots were designed in. It was not that long ago (1970’s) when Chanel was worn only as an ensemble within the upper-class. Very unapproachable to the masses. It was in the 80’s when the prevailing aesthetic evolved into “everday” chic-that is to mix designer pieces with Levi’s. Whether or not the boots are “cool” is not the point. Rather it is a look at how the Chanel aesthetic evolved into what fashion forward women, magazine editors, and those who promote fashion feel is relevent. Lagerfeld is not Chanel, he merely interprets her aesthetic into what will be seen as artistic and current. In my opinion the boots are right on. It does not matter whether I would wear them or not.
March 28, 2008 at 10:14 am
These boots were like totally cute, I like totally want some!
Woo Hoo!
March 28, 2008 at 10:14 am
I would never waer somthing like that after ski but it is a cool design.
March 28, 2008 at 10:15 am
Ahhhhhh!! these boots aree totally gorgeous(: SOO FETCH!!!!!!
March 28, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I don’t know. I still prefer my uggs of these monsters.
March 29, 2008 at 3:20 pm
WANT THEM.SO BAD.
March 30, 2008 at 9:09 am
i like it :/
March 30, 2008 at 1:25 pm
These boots clearly define the state of mainstream fashion today. The exaggerated decorated chain links that are a trademark in vintage Chanel suits quitely illusrates the history of the brand to insiders who are familiar. on the other hand, the Interlocking C’s reach out to an audience hungry for associating themselves with a status that has long eluded them… It is as if commiting to a certain logo could be described as being initiated into a gnag… a gang of brand turned to global corporations who have benefitted from the rise of globalization.
April 1, 2008 at 11:18 am
This are the coolest boots for girls i have ever seen!!!! I would totaly buy them for my mom because she looks very high fashion
April 1, 2008 at 2:06 pm
oooooo fun fun fun i can totally see myself struttin down new york city with these on!!!!!!
April 2, 2008 at 9:37 am
I am very impress with the size of there…
April 2, 2008 at 9:43 am
i love boots and dora the explorer
April 4, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I had a pair of these in the early 70’s. They gave me nose bleeds.
April 5, 2008 at 9:19 am
Those boots are just too cute. I would bye them!
April 5, 2008 at 12:09 pm
these boots are cute but a little too big and over done… they look like an astronaut would wear them except with the word “Channel” on them…I wouldn’t buy them… :/ ( but I know someone who would LOVE them…[and who could afford them])
April 5, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Im on the next flight to vail
April 5, 2008 at 7:26 pm
hideous, gaudy, tacky, trashy, unimpressive–all these words describe these boots.
April 6, 2008 at 4:09 pm
are you kidding me? these boots are hideous !! It looks as if someone decorated a cement block with golden chains and placed a chanel stamp, gross!
April 8, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I don’t think these boots are cute but other people seem to so go ahead and think what you want (these aren’t fancy enough).
April 11, 2008 at 5:41 pm
What was she thinking?! Those are the ugliest boots I’ve ever seen.
April 11, 2008 at 9:08 pm
OMG!!! Where I come from this is like the huge must have! I totally appreciate that my and many other members of the Oaks Club Chick society’s styles have been aroused.
Scribble Back!!!
Cassy
April 12, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I still remember the first time I saw these boots as a young girl because that was the day I realized Karl Lagerfeld was evil and must be stopped.
April 13, 2008 at 9:51 am
boring
April 13, 2008 at 1:11 pm
This a great pair of boots. They would be great to go on a hike or to walk in the snow.They blend in with the nature and its wonderful passion. The boots have a pattern that makes it look like a wonerful design. The boots work required a lot of work. You should appeciate thst work. Too bad they aren’t out in stores today.
Mr.Mystery with another comment.
April 14, 2008 at 12:02 am
Chanel’s combination of tradition, originality and style has always made it the most seductive of fashion labels. The famous Coco Chanel created a galaxy of brilliant designs from the 1920s onwards. After the late death of fashion icon Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld soon carried on the Chanel trademark. Lagerfeld understood Chanel’s high style and fashion sense where he was able to interpret her aesthetic ability in her designs. Now looking at these Apres Ski Chanel boots on a design standpoint they truly symbolize the magic of Chanel. The artistic quality of Chanel trademarks such as the achromatic black and white, the texture of diamond quilting, the interlocking “C” logo, the contrasting cap toe, and gilt chains as mentioned are what sum up the intricate details of Chanel that are aesthetically pleasing. These aesthetically pleasing qualities that make up the Chanel trademark brand are what should entice someone to look at the quality of these boots from a fashion standpoint, not whether they create a visual experience for someone particularly, but for the quality and remembrance of what a great designer and history legend Coco Chanel became in the fashion industry. From my viewpoint, I feel these boots are not only classic and unique but they are a design piece of Chanel that defines the true meaning of beauty. Yes, I would wear these boots not only because I am an avid fan of Chanel, but also because I understand the quality and background of Chanel, which create an aesthetic experience in my eye of fashion sense.