Stalking Karl Lagerfeld 

Monday morning I had some allergy testing, got a flu shot and received a phone call from one of my editors. Not the usual, "What were you thinking?" editorial call. No, from on high, I was told that I must make a pilgrimage to Grand Isle, perhaps the least notable of the Lake Champlain Islands.

I didn't have to take the ferry to Plattsburgh (pretty much the only thing one can do on Grand Isle), so what was I supposed to do there? Stalk Karl Lagerfeld.

If you've been following the story here on Blurt, you know that Karl Lagerfeld bought property on Grand Isle recently (see photo below).

Women's Wear Daily announced that Lagerfeld bought a home here in early October, and since then, news sources as lofty as the New York Times have all had their say. Luxist.com, has their own over-romantic take on the property. Here's hoping that Lagerfeld takes full advantage of the "fertile farmland."

Other local media outlets are finally picking up the story — here's a report from last night's WCAX newscast.

Monday afternoon, I drove over to see what exactly the couturier was doing in the brick house on the highway. When I got there, I met Willie Lebeau of Essex Equipment, who was providing furnishings and heating for a photo shoot. He was doubtful that Lagerfeld would eventually settle there, "If he were moving, it would take more than two days to renovate it." And presumably, he would bring his own furniture.

Mandy Hotchkiss, proprietor of the Blue Paddle Bistro, confirmed that her business would be catering a four-day photo shoot for Chanel. Hotchkiss came face-to-face with the designer Tuesday morning. “I met him,” she said. “He was very nice to (Alburgh chef) Barbara (Cote). He spent most of the time in the house . . . he really just dashed in and dashed out.”

As Seven Days' newly appointed fashionista, I hope to shake his fingerless-gloved hand.

You can read my story about stalking Karl Lagerfeld in this week's Seven Days.