Streep's rep called that false, adding that it's against the actress's ethics to be paid to wear a gown on the red carpet. But Streep herself took it further, lashing out at Lagerfeld and Women's Wear Daily, which printed his "lies" without getting comment from her.
First, here's what the Chanel designer told WWD of the original plan to dress Streep in an embroidered gray silk design from Lagerfeld's most recent couture collection:
"I made a sketch, and we started to make the dress." He said that shortly after production started on the gown, Team Streep canceled on them. In his words, the actress's team told him, "'Don't continue the dress. We found somebody who will pay us.'"
Streep's team told The Hollywood Reporter the story was false, and Chanel added its own statement to THR:
"Chanel engaged in conversations with Ms. Streep's stylist to design a dress for her to wear to the Academy Awards, with the full understanding that she was considering options from other design houses. When informed by the stylist that Ms. Streep had chosen a dress by another designer there was no mention of the reason. Chanel wishes to express our continued and deep respect for Ms. Streep."
On Saturday, Lagerfeld followed-up with a clarification to Streep's reps and WWD:
"Chanel engaged in conversations with Ms. Streep's stylist, on her request, to design a dress for her to wear to the Academy Awards. After an informal conversation, I misunderstood that Ms. Streep may have chosen another designer due to remuneration, which Ms. Streep's team has confirmed is not the case. I regret this controversy and wish Ms. Streep well with her 20th Academy Award nomination."
However, that sounded like a half-a**ed non-apology, and it was not good enough for Streep, considering how Lagerfeld just dragged her name through the mud for nothing. Here's her reply, via People:
"In reference to Mr. Lagerfeld's 'statement,' there is no 'controversy': Karl Lagerfeld, a prominent designer, defamed me, my stylist, and the illustrious designer whose dress I chose to wear, in an important industry publication. That publication printed this defamation, unchecked. Subsequently, the story was picked up globally, and continues, globally, to overwhelm my appearance at the Oscars, on the occasion of my record breaking 20th nomination, and to eclipse this honor in the eyes of the media, my colleagues and the audience. I do not take this lightly, and Mr. Lagerfeld's generic 'statement' of regret for this 'controversy' was not an apology. He lied, they printed the lie, and I am still waiting."
BOOM. Or should we say, 'BOOM.'
Streep ended up wearing the blue gown shown in the photo above. And, suffice it to say, she probably won't be wearing any Lagerfeld designs after this. Was it worth it, man?
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