Karl Lagerfeld Doesn’t Buy Fashion Online

In the ever-expanding world of e-commerce, eccentric Chanel designer Karl Largerfeld is one member of the old-school guard who refuses to click and shop. In a recent meeting with Neelie Kroes, the European Commissioner for Competition—an association pushing for loosened guidelines on luxury e-commerce—Karl discussed his retail preferences. Though he admitted to purchasing books and music through online sites like Amazon.com, when it comes to luxury fashions, he says: "There is something unexciting about buying something exciting online." He also noted that the truly luxurious aspects of high-fashion pieces—quality, craftsmanship and tailoring—cannot be appreciated through a digital photograph. “An H&M dress and a Chanel dress can look the same in a small photo, but not in real life," said the designer. He also brought in the hot topic of fake designer goods, which he argues are easier to hock online than in a traditional store.