Lagerfeld, not only a man with an eye for sartorialism, he is also a genius in the art of theatre. The theme of his shows brings a thoughtful, altogether more intellectual level of creativity than other couture houses. Not just a showcase for the latest designs. They are ideas partly based on fable, partly historic and takes one into a world of make-believe for adults, theatre, bejewelled pantomime. Never disturbing - like some other designers, always with the aim of the most beautiful, the most exquisite. Now mimicked by others but no-one replicates the individual excellence of Lagerfeld.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI91ofhw8Vo

This collage shows some of his most artistic recent shows: the Metiers d'Art in Edinburgh - set in a Scottish castle, snow falling, part Queen of Scots, part Renaissance. The second is located on Venice Lido - part Venice Carnival and masked balls, part Edwardian - surely influenced by the movie Death in Venice - then on to the flappers of the 1920s. His final show depicted here is his impression - and he freely admits to never having visited the country - of India. India of the historic not the modern - days of the Raj and the influence of the English in India (interestingly the collection uses the former English name of Bombay and not the retitled Indian name Mumbai). The train shown is influenced by an actual dinner table piece in a Maharajah's Palace in Rajasthan.

Perhaps Lagerfeld is also trying to give us a lesson in a country's heritage too and make us think a bit more deeply about the role of costume in history.

Please view my blog for a more deatiled article about the themes in this video: http://bellisvintage.blogspot.fr/2012/12/chanel-catwalk-spiritual-theatre.html