Lagerfeld Shows No Signs of Slowing Down at Chanel with Stellar Couture Show

Don't believe the rumors that say the fashion icon is preparing to step down from his role as creative director of Chanel: this latest show certainly seemed to say that Karl isn't going anywhere.

The veteran designer pulled out all the stops, with a string of high-profile models, uber-elegant silhouettes and textures, and curly up-dos straight out of collection of porcelain dolls. Taking over the Grand Palais and transforming it into an atelier complete with mannequins, bolts of fabric, and fitting rooms, models emerged onto the catwalk dressed in uniform black kitten heels and puffy curls, sporting gorgeous variations of lace, wool, and feathers fit for royalty.

Hedi Slimane was thought to be next in line for the Chanel throne since he stepped down from his post at Yves Saint Laurent, with insiders speculating that he's working on a full menswear line for the brand. But now with $13 million in the bank, Slimane could very well skip the middle man and start his eponymous label, something his fans have been longing for since his tenure at Dior Homme.

Meanwhile, Lagerfeld's line of boxy tailleurs epitomized his ideas for the future Chanel woman --perhaps Karl's newest muse, Willow Smith, who attended the show with her father, Will.

If this is the collection of a man thinking of retiring, he's certainly decided to go out with a bang. This Couture was the product of a visionary with staying power.

View the entire Chanel collection at Vogue.com