1933-2019
Karl Lagerfeld Today: Subject of Becoming Karl Lagerfeld Series
Actor Daniel Brühl met Karl Lagerfeld only once, but the late fashion designer left a memorable impression.
Brühl, 45, said the solo encounter at a photo shoot influenced him to portray Lagerfeld in the new miniseries Becoming Karl Lagerfeld. The six-episode series—about the designer’s rise through the fashion industry, personal life, and rivalry with Yves Saint Laurent—began streaming Friday, June 7, on Hulu.
“It was a very chilling moment when, for one second, he lowered his shades to check the photo and looked at me, and these two seconds, I looked into very shy, soft, but deep, wise, sharp eyes. It was all at once. I will never forget that moment,” Brühl explained at a screening event in London. “Even if it could go terribly wrong, I just felt that urge to want to play Karl Lagerfeld.”
Who Was Karl Lagerfeld?
One of the most acclaimed fashion designers in the world, Karl Lagerfeld, was born in Hamburg, Germany. While he never revealed his actual birthday, it’s been reported he was born on September 10, 1933. Known for his bold designs and constant reinvention, he was hailed in Vogue as the “unparalleled interpreter of the mood of the moment.” Lagerfeld died in Paris on February 19, 2019.
Quick Facts
FULL NAME: Karl Otto Lagerfeld
BORN: September 10, 1933
DIED: February 19, 2019
BIRTHPLACE: Hamburg, Germany
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Virgo
Early Life
Karl Lagerfeld was born Karl Otto Lagerfeldt in Hamburg, Germany. While the famous fashion designer has never revealed the exact date of his birth, it’s believed he was born on September 10, 1933. Often lauded for his constant reinvention, he removed the “t” at the end of his last name early in his career to make it sound “more commercial.”
Lagerfeld’s father, Christian, made his fortune by bringing condensed milk to Germany. Karl and his older sister, Martha, and a half-sister, Thea, grew up in a wealthy home. Intellectual activity was encouraged at the Lagerfeld home. His mother, Elizabeth, was an accomplished violin player and talk at the dinner table often included subjects such as religious philosophy.
When Adolf Hitler rose to power in the 1930s, the Lagerfelds moved to a rural area of northern Germany, where, as Karl would later recount, he was cut off from any knowledge about the Nazis.
From an early age, Lagerfeld expressed an interest in design and fashion. As a child, he often cut out pictures in fashion magazines. He was also known to be critical of what others wore to school. But it wasn’t until his teen years after his family had returned to Hamburg, that Lagerfeld immersed himself in the world of high fashion.
Career Beginnings
Sensing his future lay elsewhere, 14-year-old Lagerfeld made the bold decision to move to Paris with the blessing of his parents. He’d been there just two years when he submitted a series of sketches and fabric samples to a design competition. He took first place in the coat category and met another winner, Yves Saint Laurent, who would become a close friend.
Soon, Lagerfeld worked full-time with French designer Pierre Balmain, first as a junior assistant and later as an apprentice. It was a demanding position, and the young designer remained in it for three years. He took on the role of creative director at another fashion house before finally, in 1961, striking out on his own.
Good work soon followed, with Lagerfeld designing collections for Chloe, Fendi (where he was brought on to oversee the company's fur line), and others. Lagerfeld became known in the fashion industry for his innovative, in-the-moment styles. But Lagerfeld also appreciated the past, and he often shopped in flea markets, finding old wedding dresses to deconstruct and reimagine.
Later Years
By the 1980s, Karl Lagerfeld was a major star in the fashion world. He was a favorite among the press, who loved to chronicle his changing tastes and social life. Lagerfeld kept company with other major stars, including his good friend Andy Warhol.
During his career, he developed a sort of hired gun reputation for jumping from one label to the next, and he also put together a track record of success that few designers can match. At Chanel in the early 1980s, he did what few thought possible: He returned what was perceived to be a near-dead brand back to life with a revamped ready-to-wear fashion line.
Around that time, Lagerfeld launched his own label in 1984, which he built around the idea of what he described as “intellectual sexiness.” Over the years, the brand developed a reputation for quality tailoring with bold ready-to-wear pieces like cardigan jackets in bright colors. In 2005, Lagerfeld sold the label to Tommy Hilfiger.
Lagerfeld, whose work crossed into film and photography, maintained a busy schedule. In 2011, he designed a line of glassware for the Swedish company Orrefors and signed on to create a new clothing collection for Macy’s. In 2015, he opened his first Karl Lagerfeld store in Doha, Qatar.
Death and Legacy
Lagerfeld began slowing down as he advanced into his mid-80s. He sparked concern by not appearing at the end of his Chanel shows in Paris in early 2019, a development the house attributed to his being “tired.”
Days later, on February 19, 2019, it was announced that the legendary designer had passed away in Paris.
British Fashion Council Chief Executive Caroline Rush noted among the many tributes: “We are deeply saddened to learn the news of Karl Lagerfeld’s passing today. His unrivaled contribution to the fashion industry changed the way women dress and perceive fashion. He inspired generations of young designers and will continue to do so.”
Lagerfeld’s life career inspired the 2024 miniseries Becoming Karl Lagerfeld, starring actor Daniel Brühl as the designer.
Lagerfeld's Cat Choupette
In 2011, Lagerfeld adopted Choupette, a white Birman cat, from French model Baptiste Giabiconi. The name means “sweetie” in French and refers to a real group of models Lager enjoyed working with. He regularly ate with Choupette and spoke of their close bond. “There is something unforgettable about her, the way the she moves, the way she plays. She's an inspiration for elegance. For attitude,” Lagerfeld told The Cut.
Choupette has since become a celebrity with more than a quarter million followers on Instagram. She has also made millions of euros through modeling opportunities. The cat was invited to the 2023 Met Gala honoring Lagerfeld, but did not attend. Still, several guests honored her through their attire—most notably actor Jared Leto, who wore a lifelike, full-size costume of the cat.
Quotes
- What I enjoy most is doing something I’ve never done before.
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