KARL'S HEIR APPARENT?

KARL LAGERFELDMr. CHANEL himself -Karl Lagerfeld seems to have an idea for the future of the house that tweed built.   Recently,HAIDER ACKERMANN when pressed to name a designer who should succeed the him at CHANEL, Karl named Belgian designer Haider Ackermann as the man for the job.   Not that Mr. Ackermann should start sketching tweed ensembles too quickly, after all - Karl has a contract for life.   Even though the German born designer is nearing 80, there is no stopping him.  Lagerfeld has no plans to retire.  (Marc Jacobs must have winced when he read this).  Furthermore, just because Karl thinks Ackermann should take the reigns one day - doesn't mean it will happen.   Remember, Coco Chanel herself said she thought Yves Saint Laurent was the most talented young designer in France at the time and should take over for her someday.  Never Happened!