Karlito mania is in full force! Fashionistas are bugging out over the season's latest must-have accessory: a small, furry, Fendi "bag bug" modeled in designer Karl Lagerfeld's iconic likeness. You, too, could own a miniature Karlito—if you have a couple thousand dollars to spare and a hookup at the fashion house.
The limited-edition keychain/charm, made of expensive mink and fox fur, was created as an homage to Lagerfeld, who's been with the Italian label for more than four decades. It has his white hair, his trademark sunglasses, and his impeccably styled uniform of a high-collared shirt and tie—plus, an orange, pink, or blue ponytail. (If you're lucky enough to get one, you can choose the color.)
According to WWD, the mini-me was originally a private gift to the famed creative director from designer Sylvia Venturini Fendi. Then, in February, Lagerfeld decided to open the Fall 2014 Milan Fashion Week show by having "It" girl Cara Delevingne sashay down the runway with the figurine dangling from her fingers. Fendi fans have been clamoring ever since to get their hands on the doll.
This September, a few hundred Karlitos will ship to the U.S., where they'll be sold in select Fendi, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman stores for $1,750. That is, if there are any left that haven't been pre-claimed.
You might be wondering who would pay almost $1,800 for what is essentially a fancy keychain, but it turns out that a lot of people would. Little Karlito's wait list already has hundreds of names on it, and more are being added every day.
Misshapes DJ Leigh Lezark isn't surprised. At a party in Karlito's honor, she told WWD that people like to collect figurines of Lagerfeld because "he's really down to earth. He gets it—and he has fun with his fashion."
