For over a decade, Pier has been leading the Maison KARL LAGERFELD as its CEO, and he worked closely with Karl for many years. Under Pier's leadership, the brand has expanded globally across categories, countries, collaborations and digital spaces. With a forward-looking mindset, he drives the company in Karl’s spirit and according to his mantra: “Embrace the present and invent the future.” 

“We feel honor and responsibility to be the only fashion House in the world that carries Karl Lagerfeld’s name on its doorbell,” Pier says. “We are the sole custodians of his legacy. We have built this brand around the very unique attributes of Karl himself and his spirit of creative curiosity.” 

Can you give us a short synopsis of your career path? What was your journey to becoming a CEO?

I had the luck of being entrusted my first CEO role at the very young age of 27 years. It was a leading sports accessories brand with about 100 people, a market leader in racing ski equipment — skiing was and is a passion of mine and I was traveling the winter weekends to all World Cup races. It was a wonderful experience which taught me a lot about what passion and strong teams can move. After 10 years I joined Nike and was first running Nike’s German business and then later the CEMEA region. I guess if there was a place to learn how to build and tell impactful stories then it is then and there. Many goosebump moments along the way. But nothing topped the goosebump moment when I first met Karl and I knew that all I learned could finally find its place where I could bring it together and create something very special — which I believe we did create — passionately, together.  

In your 12 years as CEO, what’s your biggest accomplishment?

What I’m most proud of is the smiles and positive vibes when walking the office — this positivity and togetherness is the key ingredient to succeed as a business and in life generally. This has allowed us to build the brand and great business we have created — of course I’m proud of the business we have built, but the real accomplishment is the culture we jointly created. 

When you talk about the brand, what are you most proud of?

That we’re seeking to always push the boundaries and reach into the future in the way I believe Karl would have been proud of. 

Tell us about the first time you met Karl?

Hahaha! That makes me laugh because thinking about it hindsight I think I was very gutsy in the way I spoke to Karl, I guess because of me having worked 20 years in the sport business I was used to a very direct approach. But I guess Karl must have somehow liked it. I remember him taking me through every room of his house opening all sorts of drawers and literally inviting me to be part of his house and his world. I happily entered. 

What was it like to work with Karl? What's your favorite memory of him?  

There are many favorite moments — but what I can say I liked most is the respect he had for everybody, regardless of what role they played. He was a very respectful person. I do remember once at a Christmas party in Amsterdam where he showed up late and everybody was waiting for him in the dining room, but he first wanted to go to the kitchen and apologize with the kitchen team that he caused them trouble with the wait. This respectful way of treating the people around him I admired a lot. 

Can you tell us something about Karl that would surprise people?  

I think many people saw Karl as a very cool, maybe even cold person as he was always in character, somehow. But in reality, he was an extremely sensitive person with a fantastic antenna for people and people dynamics. Very warm and caring. Karl also donated a lot to charity, but always made sure nobody would know about it. 

What role does Karl continue to play in the brand?  

All the attributes that Karl represented himself do carry our House still today. This applies to the type of stories that we create, how we create them and most importantly the way we work together as the KARL LAGERFELD family. 

How does the brand continue to honor Karl’s legacy?  

I’m regularly asking myself what would Karl have thought about doing this or that. Would Karl have liked it? Ultimately would he have been proud about what we are building? And I’m sure he would be very proud of it. A wonderful reference point of Karl’s is his mantra “Embrace the present and invent the future”, basically tackling what is at hand right now and at the same time courageously pushing the envelope and going new ways.