KARL LAGERFELD

ABOUT KARL

“I am very much down to earth, just not this earth. ” -Karl
THE MUSE OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF DESIGNERS.
Today, Haute Couture pieces can start at a minimum of twenty-thousand dollars. Haute Couture became highly sought after leading for many of the fashion houses like Balmain, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Fendi to recruit young designers to work for them. One way many of the fashion designers worked to find talent was through fashion competitions. In 1954, Karl, newly settled into Paris, submitted an innovative coat design into the French International Wool Secretariat. Among thousands of aspiring designers, Pierre Balmain (one of the judges and head of the House of Balmain Paris) found much liking in Karl. Lagerfeld was chosen as the winner for the competition and brought under Pierre’s wing to work at Balmain and put Karl's coat into production. As a result, this was the start to Karl’s reign of the industry.
1954 - Karl wins International Wool Association coat competition at 21 and hired by Balmain after the competition 1957 - Leaves Blmain & becomes the head of Jean Patou 1962 - Goes to italy. Pursues an education in art history; partners with global clients: Fendi, Chloe, and Valentino 1964 - Takes on the position of art director at Chloé and becomes a consultant for Fendi. Brings spirit to the fur line. 1983 - Joins as the art director of Chanel. Sets the path to build a $10 billion fashion house. 1983 - Karl founds his own fashion label, Karl lagerfeld.