Design was the foundation of Karl’s life; for him, expressing his inexhaustible creativity was an intrinsic need. However, his career in fashion happened somewhat accidentally, as he originally planned to become an illustrator. By chance, he entered the 1954 International Woolmark Prize — at just 21 years old — and won first place for his sketch of a coat, which instantly launched his career. In the 65 years that followed, fashion remained the core of his work, though he continually explored various realms of design. This was fueled by an unrelenting mind and boundless sources of inspiration, from people and places to art and pop culture.

With over 300,000 books in his private collection, Karl had an insatiable appetite for the written word. His home, studio and offices all brimmed with towering stacks of books, on topics ranging from history to art, music, geography, architecture and more. When he opened his photo studio in 1999, he conjoined it to a bookshop called 7L. A year later, he also became a publisher with the launch of the EDITIONS 7L publishing house, which specializes in books about visual knowledge and photography. Ultimately, Karl’s passion for literature reflects his unparalleled thirst for learning, knowledge and cultural awareness.

It’s hard to believe that Karl’s love for cats didn’t come until later in his life — and in fact, it was just one feline who won his heart. Karl was originally asked to take care of Choupette for a week, but come Monday he insisted she never leave. “It was love at first sight,” Karl recalled. “She is peaceful, funny, fun and gracious; she’s pretty to look at and has good poise.”

Scattered in its organization, the eclectic anthology flowed from 1930s images of Lagerfeld’s childhood home in Blankenese, Germany, to a 1979 Polaroid of his French Chateau, Penhouët. Later, a 2000s snapshot of his “beloved bookstore” in Paris was followed by photos of his Berlin apartment dated 1995 (Karl noted, “It’s very ‘Weimar Republic’”).

“His attachment to some of these places was surprising to me,” Tonchi reveals. “I didn’t know so much about where he had lived, where he had many memories. His relationship with Monte Carlo. His discovery of Biarritz. When another designer had one house, he would have multiple and change them like he would change his clothes. And he would never look back.”

It’s unclear how often Lagerfeld visited all of his homes amidst his whirlwind calendar. (He balanced roles as Creative Director for Chanel, Fendi and his eponymous maison, KARL LAGERFELD, and he commonly flew to Rome or New York at a moment’s notice.) Yet, regardless of how much time he physically spent in each place, it is clear he approached everything he touched with a sense of intent and a clear vision. Every room was meticulously curated, every piece of furniture selected with purpose. Each result is unmistakably distinct — and unmistakably Karl.

As Lagerfeld was notoriously elusive about his private life, the document had a surprising amount of personal biography. There was a rare photo of him aged five years old, wearing lederhosen. (“I loved only Austrian clothes as a child. Nobody had it in the north of Germany then.”) A dimly lit image peered into a private dinner party with friends at the rue de l’Université apartment. A rendering of a Tadao Ando house was captioned, “It was not allowed to be built in France, not near Paris and not in Biarritz. My biggest regret, too late!”

Tonchi assigned the Times’ fashion critic Cathy Horyn to write the piece, tasked with the job of not only deciphering Lagerfeld’s handwriting, but also translating the unique story to share with two million readers.

“It’s something very useful for whoever wants to look at Karl’s life, and put his past in perspective,” Tonchi says. “I think what Karl is remembered for is more than just clothes. It’s his capacity to understand communication and use communication to tell his story.”

For the record, Tonchi only ever received a scan of the scrapbook; the original remains buried amongst the annals and hidden treasures of Lagerfeld’s Parisian office. However, the “Profile in Style” story is but one example of an ongoing creative exchange cultivated by the two men.

#MYWHITESHIRTFORKARL

The “Tribute to Karl” project is complemented by essential white shirts for men and women. The collector’s edition pieces are embellished with Karl’s signature details — a high collar and thick cuffs — plus a special edition tribute label on the front. Crafted from cotton poplin, the designs combine artisanal details with a sense of effortless, pared-back perfection.



In memory of Karl, a community of international influencers has come together to show how they style these white shirts. Whether tucked in or worn loose, dressed up or dressed down, they each put their signature touch on the iconic design. You are invited to follow along — and join yourself — using #MyWhiteShirtForKarl.