Karl Lagerfeld turns to interiors with ultra-luxurious Miami project

Karl Lagerfeld’s latest design is a shimmering concoction of cerulean blue, silver and grey, with cascading crystals and unexpected pops of pink.

While the description sounds like it should be applied to one of the haute couture creations Lagerfeld sends down the runway in his role as head designer for Chanel, in this case the fashion demigod has turned his hand to something closer to home: interior design.

Lagerfeld is one of a growing number of fashion designers lending their name – and signature style – to the interiors of apartment projects. For his first multi-residential project in the US, the German-born designer has created ultra-luxurious looks for two lobbies at The Estates at Acqualina, a $US1.5 billion ($1.994 billion) residential development in Miami’s glamorous Sunny Isles Beach.

Jules Trump, developer of The Estates at Acqualina – and no relation to the US President – tells Domain Lagerfeld is more than just a fashion designer for the world’s most prestigious labels.

“He is also an artist, photographer, filmmaker … there are truly no limits to his creativity.”

Perhaps even more importantly, Trump describes the designer as a master at creating a mood and eliciting an emotion.

“That’s what I wanted most of all from him for The Estates at Acqualina.”

Setting the stage for the prestigious address, Lagerfeld’s vision for both lobbies blends classical architecture and contemporary art. For the first tower, photographic images of Roman fountains and arches – taken by Lagerfeld himself – will be etched into larger-than-life wall panels, ceiling screens and skylights. The images, together with a fountain at the centre of the lobby, reflect the expansive oceanfront views surrounding the estate.

“Lobbies serve two purposes – they are the first impression of a building and a common living room for socialising,” Lagerfeld said when the first lobby renderings were revealed in December.

When complete, the project will feature 244 units and resident facilities including a Formula One racing simulator, surfing simulator, bowling alley, bocce court, wine room, ice skating rink, cigar lounge and billiards room, sculpted art gardens, dog park and “Wall Street traders clubroom”.

Residences at The Estates at Acqualina are priced from $US3.8 million to $US9.5 million, with penthouses on the market for up to $US29 million.

Miami is staking a claim as the epicentre of fashion-forward apartment interiors in the US. Also at Sunny Isles Beach on South Florida’s coastline, legendary fashion designer Giorgio Armani has collaborated with architect Cesar Pelli on Residences by Armani/Casa.

In the brochure for the palm-fringed property, Armani is pictured looking deeply tanned and relaxed, next to the quote: “Elegance is not about being noticed, it’s about being remembered.”

His understated style has been applied to the interior finishes, including “rich textiles, a palette of softly dramatic tones, and sensual textures”.

On a more boutique scale, the fashion house Fendi was part of the interior design team at Fendi Chateau Residences, a 12-storey, 58-apartment oceanfront development near Bal Harbour in Miami.

In Australia, acclaimed designers Alex Perry and Collette Dinnigan have worked on separate apartment developments. When Golf House in the inner-Sydney suburb of Surry Hills was launched last year, Dinnigan said a fashion designer’s contribution was a huge selling point. “You know that the same eye for detail and colours and quality is going to be applied to the project,” she said. “In this day and age when everything is so visual … it’s not about calculations and a black-and-white floor plan and a promise.”

Have bags, will travel: the rise of fashion hotels

Long before fashionistas started designing new apartment interiors, they were wowing travellers with sumptuous hotel suites.

Coco Chanel was, as ever, a trendsetter. In 1937, she checked in to a suite in the Ritz Paris and stayed for 34 years. She moved in lacquered screens, gilded mirrors and other favourite pieces of furniture until she had eventually redecorated the whole suite. After a four-year refurbishment, the Ritz reopened late last year with a suite built in her honour.

Others fashion labels have sashayed off the runway into hotels. Versace is behind the opulent Palazzo Versace chain – including a recently opened Dubai hotel. Diane von Furstenberg created the look for a suite at Claridge’s in London and Christian Lacroix has styled the interiors of three boutique hotels in Paris.