Is Karl Lagerfeld retiring? If that’s a question you’ve thought or read rumored somewhere, particularly in conjunction with the idea that designer/creative director Alber Elbaz would be taking his place, Largerfeld’s employer Chanel would really like you to knock it off. The company has responded to the recent outpouring of speculation by telling Vogue that such a transition couldn’t be further from the truth:

“Karl Lagerfeld is the creative designer of Chanel and has a long-term contract with the company,” a Chanel spokesperson told Vogue.com today from Paris. “Replacing him is not an issue.”

Lagerfeld has insisted in the past that he will “die with his boots on” – and, whilst not confirming claims that Chanel owner Alain Wertheimer has vowed to sell the label upon his departure, he asserted it is a “nice thing to be told”.

As with most big rumors, of course, this probably means that Lagerfeld will announce his retirement within the week. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have to go talk to Chanel’s lawyers who have just called us after typing the previous sentence.