The SCANDALOUS Life of Karl Lagerfeld

The 2023 MET Gala theme “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” will look at the history of one of fashion’s most legendary designers, Karl Lagerfeld. From his early days growing up in Nazi Germany to his big move to Paris where he worked for the likes of Pierre Balmain and Jean Patou, Karl always made a statement. His memorable friendship and falling out with designer Yves Saint Laurent as well as his transformation of fashion brands like Chloé and Fendi commanded excitement in the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1980s he was appointed as Artistic Director of the dilapidated Chanel, and revived it with humor, wit, and craftsmanship that brought it back to prominence. From there his fashion show sets continued to drive his celebrity, while his controversial comments smeared his legacy towards his later years. But we break this all down in this MET Explainer!

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00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:38 Early Life
00:08:18 Arriving in Paris
00:13:39 Working at Balmain
00:17:22 Working at Patou
00:23:31 Lagerfeld in 1960s
00:27:04 1960s Chloé
00:31:54 Lagerfeld in 1970s
00:33:22 1970s: Andy Warhol & Jacques De Bascher
00:36:19 Chloé 1970s
00:38:52 1970s Fendi
00:44:10 1980s Chloé
00:47:50 Chanel History
00:51:13 Chanel 1983
00:54:13 Chanel 1980s
00:56:09 Fendi 1990s
00:57:08 Chloé 1990s
00:57:58 Chanel 1990s
01:00:16 Fendi 2000s
01:01:20 Chanel 2000s
01:03:04 Chanel 2010s
01:04:16 Lagerfeld Controversy
01:06:30 Closing

Video Edited by:

[rainyhaze]

"Yes, Karl was great in so man fashion-centric ways, but as a person he never seemed to develop kindness, open-mindedness and love. And so I question whether there was ever a 'line of beauty'. Not in his tweed suits, his fur jackets or his pen strokes, but in his heart and his mind"
Oof, hitting the nail right on the head.

[SheriLynNut]

You need more recognition from the fashion industry. You are informed, insightful, and inspiring!
This piece is an excellent example of how serious you are about fashion, fashion history and all the players.
Incredible journalism!

[varsoviarivera]

It's like studying 30 min before the exam

[silver]

I love how this video essay really stayed on the topic of the work and the fashion and was not centered around the man. Your video essays are truly some of my favorites. The work and research are obviously there and I just love your personality.

[Twinkler]

Nothing against the work of Lagerfeld, but I wish they'd chosen instead to pay tribute to Vivienne Westwood. When I think icon, among other descriptors, I think of someone who transcends the boundaries of their field. While the punk aesthetic was not her invention, you can't mistake a Westwood look for anyone else's.

[ninaa]

Thank you for this amazing video!

I’m a plus sized giant of a woman who is obsessed with collecting vintage Chanel from backwater places around the world (I’m a designer thrifting fiend haha). It will never fit me, it was never designed to fit me. Karl would have hated me and likely so would Coco Chanel herself. But I love it. I love the sordid history, the excellent quality, the house codes…. Everything!

And yes, the knowledge that my collecting of these pieces in a ‘budget’ manner (for designer anyway) would make them turn over in their graves is slightly delightful 😂

Thank you again! Love your videos and your research! Your videos are always amazing!

[MohanaDasgupta]

Luke isnt a student of fashion he is a student of history as always love how his in depth coverage of one person can turn into a full fledged history of European fashion houses ❤

[understitchYT]

In regards to his parents being Nazis, his father actively hated the Nazis and only joined after he was forced to to save his business. Meanwhile, his mother actually chose to join the Nazis very early on because they kind of told people that thye just wanted to run germany with a strong hand, which she believed in. However, shortly after Karl was born, Hitler began killing jewish people and she realised her mistake at joining the party. She kept her distain secret, then kept her gay and jewish friends covert and interest in books from both groups hidden so not to bring attention to themselves. But she didn't hide this from Karl, and he knew that the Nazis were bad even from a young age (source: Paradise Now, 2023)

[brittany]

This is absolutely fascinating. I'm not a fashion girl but I love to learn interesting things about interesting people and you are a compelling and engaging storyteller. Sitting here in my work swag sweatshirt and old pajama pants, nodding and muttering in agreement as you describe Karl's background and come-up as a designer in his own right. I stop everything for Luke when he's got something to learn me.

[Ashley-ubsj]

I don't know how you managed to make a topic I'm not even the slightest bit interested in so fascinating, but I was absolutely hooked. your story telling is phenomenal!

[toni]

Amazing research so detailed. I knew quite a lot about his upbringing since I was also born in Hamburg, Germany and had seen Karl Lagergeld being interviewed in many hamburg based late night talk shows during his lifetime. He was always a mystery to Germans to French people I think to everyone but so talented. One of my memories of him bringing his sketchbooks everywhere and non stop drawing new peoples and ideas.

[understitchYT]

In terms of Chanel, they had been after Karl for a really long time, they offered him the role several times, but he only went over to Chanel after they agreed to double his salary and give him all of his requirements (like starting the archive of work) for him to start. Obviously it was a good bet for the Wertheimers, but it was a risk at the time and it took a good few people to convince them to go with Karl, at least until Alain met with Karl in his apartment and really understood his brilliance

[anjaw.]

for the record, I‘m german and we‘re all sons and daughters of nazis. nowadays a lot of people talk like there was only a small group of really bad nazis suppressing the german civilization like they were the victims — while the real victims were the ones killed in the genozide and war. people have to accept the fact that in voting for hitler, supporting his party (for whatever reason) and doing nothing against him makes their parents and grandparents the bad guys too. denying this is straight up delusional and dangerous. (Not accusing you of that, just wanted to add this)

[Biboche]

Absolutely stellar video as always! I love the timeline research and the way you flowed all the details, literally and finishing on a note on human behavior. Cant get enough of your videos for years now. As someone obsessed with fashion, art and their history its always pleasant to see someone who loves it as much as i do ❤👏🏾

[ltav]

Excellent documentary, extremely well written, intelligent, evenhanded, and quite enjoyable. You’ve gotten up a few notches with this one.

[ahollingsworth]

I truly enjoy learning from your videos. You give background and depth to fashion🥰

[janprimozich]

You did an excellent, well researched presentation which could be used in any design classroom. The depth and bredth of his knowledge of fashion was unmatched. I hope his extensive library will remain complete and maybe opened to students of fashion and design.

[rubaidaallen]

The reality is, KL was not a great designer. He was not YSL, Givenchy, Dior, Balenciaga, Gres, Mainbocher. All of those amazing men and women were his contemporaries and he could not hold a candle to them. He designs were not spectacular or iconic. What Lagerfeld was, was prolific and he created this character that the public became fascinated with. Even younger designers like the late genius McQueen and the great Galliano made his designs look mediocre and ridiculous. Personally, I would rather the honor of an exhibit go to the late Dame Westwood. Her clothes were thought provoking and challenging. I think it’s also very important to mention and not minimize KL’s history of making racist comments, disparaging people because of their weight and his cruelty towards Andre Leon Talley for making an innocent suggestion that saw Talley being banished from the rarified world of fashion. Truly a despicable man who does not deserve this tribute.

[enola]

can't wait for your reviews of this year's Met (hoping there will be serves this year)

[annebella]

Possibly the best fashion analysis / review / critique vlog that exists today. Bravo!! As a fashion girl and former editor, I appreciate this with my whole heart! Looking forward to your Met Gala review.