Karl Lagerfeld was born in Hamburg in September 1938. A cosmopolitan education and knowledge of languages enabled him to finish his studies in Paris.
In 1955 he won the first prize in the contest organized by the secretariat international de la laine (International Wool Association). The coat the young winner designed was produced by Pierre Balmain and at 17 Lagerfeld became the great designer’s assistant. He stayed with him for three years before becoming art director for Jean Patou, where he remained for five satisfying but unusually calm years, for his taste. This relative freedom allowed him to deepen his knowledge in subjects that had passionately interested him for years: history, architecture, music and especially eighteenth-century French.
When ready-to-wear came into its own at the beginning of the 60’s, he plunged into a career as an independent stylist in France, Italy, England and Germany. The concept of fur needed modernization to become a viable element of fashion. So, the House of FENDI called on Lagerfeld a collaboration that continues to this day.
Perfume is as important as fashion foe Lagerfeld, so in 1975 he launched “CHLOE”. He became the first great ready-to-wear designer to brand a scent globally without first having his own designer label. Then followed “LAGERFELD” for men in 1978.
“PHOTO” in 1991, “JAKO” in 1998 and Kapsule, the first fragrance collaboration with Coty group in 2008.
In 1984 he created his own line “KARL LAGERFELD”, while continuing both his collaboration with the house of CHANEL, where he was named art director in 1983, and his longstanding collaboration with FENDI. He also signed the new collections for CHLOE from 1992 to 1997.
His constant interest in new experiences led Lagerfeld to illustrate Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Emperor’s New Clothes”. He created as well opera costumes for La Scala, the Florence opera house, the Burgtheater of Vienna and for the Salzbourg festival, and the Monte-Carlo ballet.
He decided to move behind the lens in 1987, with his first press kit, and from this time on Lagerfeld created his own advertising campaigns. His passion for photography and for books transformed his campaigns into veritable art books (published by Steidl), while continuing photo shoots for prestigious fashion magazines.
The year 1997 marked the end of the LAGERFELD Company. In 1998 he began a new adventure. He launched his own label, LAGERFELD GALLERY.
November 1999 saw the opening of the bookshop “7L”, followed by the publishing company “EDITIONS 7L” in October 2000. He had now become publisher and bookshop owner.
In 2000 Lagerfeld changed his look, redefining his image. Willpower and self-imposed diet helped him to lose 47 kilograms (103lbs) giving up a style that no longer fitted his personality. He wrote a book “THE 3D DIET” (Designer, Doctor, Diet) about his unusual experience. It sold in tens of thousands throughout the world.
In 2004 Lagerfeld designed a collection of 30 models for the giant company, H&M, under the “Karl Lagerfeld for H&M” label.
In 2005, Karl Lagerfeld sold its marks and its activities to Tommy Hilfiger, this operation included Lagerfeld Gallery and the other Lagerfeld collections for which he continues to assume the direction of creation. This acquisition did not include his agreements with Chanel and Fendi with which it continues his activities.
2006… Lagerfeld Gallery’s name change to KARL LAGERFELD.
2007… A documentary film is dedicated to him: LAGERFELD CONFIDENTIEL (director: Rodolphe Marconi). It will be revealed during Berlin International Festival.
2008, Karl Lagerfeld enters le Petit Larousse illustré (French dictionary).
