A Creative Collaboration
The KARL LAGERFELD x G.H.BASS collaboration forms part of a wider series marking 150 years of G.H.BASS, bringing together designers, labels and creative voices. Each collaboration takes a different direction. With KARL LAGERFELD, the focus is on graphic expression, recognisable signatures and the tension between heritage and modern design.
The campaign follows three characters: the Artist, the Mover and the Composer, each with their own creative discipline. Inspired by Karl’s admiration for people who shape culture in their own way, we see each person immersed in their craft, doing what they love, from documenting the world through images to the discipline of movement and the experimentation of music.
Signature Style
From his early years in Paris to his work at Chanel, Fendi and his own label, Karl Lagerfeld spent decades shaping fashion on his own terms. His high-collared white shirts, sharp black tailoring and dark sunglasses are instantly recognisable, alongside his love of monochrome and graphic details. Beyond the runway, Karl was an accomplished photographer and illustrator, creating imagery and campaigns for his own collections. His curiosity across disciplines shaped his approach to design, leaving his visual signature on everything he touched.
Designing Individuality
Since G.H.BASS introduced the Weejuns® Loafers in 1936, the penny loafer has travelled far beyond its collegiate roots. Adopted by musicians, artists and subcultures over the decades, it has become a shoe people make their own, styled and worn in ways that reflect their individual tastes. Today, that same spirit of individuality continues across our collection, bringing our footwear heritage into conversation with a new generation of creative voices.
The Ikonic Dome
The KARL LAGERFELD x G.H.BASS collection brings Karl’s Ikonic Dome logo to the Weejuns®, embossed across the leather to create an all-over print, drawing on Karl’s distinctive visual language while keeping the original shape at the heart of the design.
A Signature in the Penny Strap
Classic Weejuns® loafers are also updated with silver coins featuring Karl’s autograph or Ikonic logo, placed in the signature penny strap. The story behind this detail dates back to the 1950s and ’60s, when Weejuns® became a favourite among Ivy League students. The penny strap was said to be the ideal place to keep a penny for an emergency payphone call, giving rise to the name “penny loafer”. For this collaboration, Karl brings his own signature touch to that long-standing detail.
The Ranger Camp Moc
Karl extends the collaboration beyond the iconic Weejuns® to another part of our history: the Ranger Camp Moc. Originally developed from the practical moccasin footwear we made for woodsmen and later for campers and outdoorsmen, the Camp Moc has always been rooted in function, with its laced-up design and rugged sole. Finished with KARL-branded metal lace ends and a matching lace keeper, the style brings Karl’s signature hardware to another G.H.BASS original, highlighting the Camp Moc’s place in our story.
150 Years of G.H.BASS, With More Stories to Tell
A century and a half after George Henry Bass set out to make the best possible shoe for its purpose, that original ambition continues to inform what we do. The KARL LAGERFELD x G.H.BASS collection carries that ambition forward, adding a new perspective to our story.
Discover the other collaborations celebrating our 150th anniversary, including DSM Kei Ninomiya and HAST Paris, each bringing its own perspective to G.H.BASS heritage.
Discover our latest arrivals here and see what’s new.
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