Auto portrait by KARL LAGREFELD
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KARL LAGERFELD… VisionaryKarl Lagerfeld was born in Hamburg in September 1938. A cosmopolitan education and knowledge of languages enabled him to finish his studies in Paris. In 1955 he won the first prize in the contest organized by the secrétariat international de la laine (International Wool Association). The coat the young winner designed was produced by Pierre Balmain and at 17 Lagerfeld became the great designer’s assistant. He stayed with him for three years before becoming art director for Jean Patou, where he remained for five satisfying but unusually calm years, for his taste. This relative freedom allowed him to deepen his knowledge in subjects that had passionately interested him for years: history, architecture, music and especially eighteenth-century French. When ready-to-wear came into its own at the beginning of the 60s, he plunged into a career as an independent stylist in France, Italy, England and Germany. The concept of fur needed modernization to become a viable element of fashion. So, the House of FENDI called on Lagerfeld-a collaboration that continues to this day. Perfume is as important as fashion for Lagerfeld, so in 1975 he launched “CHLOÉ”. He became the first great ready-to-wear designer to brand a scent globally without first having his own designer label. Then followed “LAGERFELD” for men in 1978. “PHOTO” in 1991 and “JAKO” in 1998. In 1984 he created his own line “KARL LAGERFELD,” while continuing both his collaboration with the house of CHANEL, where he was named art director in 1983, and his longstanding collaboration with FENDI. He also signed the new collections for CHLOÉ from 1992 to 1997. His constant interest in new experiences led Lagerfeld to illustrate Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Emperor’s New Clothes”. He created as well opera costumes for La Scala, the Florence opera house, the Burgtheater of Vienna and for the Salzbourg festival, and the Monte-Carlo ballet. He decided to move behind the lens in 1987, with his first press kit, and from this time on Lagerfeld created his own advertising campaigns. His passion for photography and for books transformed his campaigns into veritable art books, while continuing photo shoots for prestigious fashion magazines. The year 1997 marked the end of the LAGERFELD company. In 1998 he began a new adventure. He launched his own label, LAGERFELD GALLERY. The first boutique opened in Paris, followed by another in Monaco.The gauntlet was thrown…  ALEXANDER MCQUEENAlexander McQueen was born in London on March 17th 1969, the youngest of six children.  ZUHAIR MURAD SUBLIME ARTWORKFIRST STUDIED FASHION DESIGN IN BEIRUT & THEN WENT TO PARIS WHERE HE GOT HIS DEGREE FROM THE CHAMBRE SYNDICALE – PARIS, IN 1993. By Farouk CHEKOUFI  Romano Ricci, “THE CITIZEN KING” of perfumes.A young creator with a prestigious name, Romano Ricci had the chance to be initiated at a young age into the secrets of perfumery by his grandfather  RAMDANE TOUHAMI King of Creation1992: Ramdane is still at college when he creates the “Teuchiland” Tee-shirt, using the Timberland logotype.  A BEAUTY PROGRAMME INSPIRED BY THE VERY SPECIAL PERSONALITY OF LISA SIMONThe name written in beautiful crimson letters crowned by a flower  John Allan, an empathetic and visionary creator.Pioneer of the « grooming attitude » for the American man.  The dynamic world of PACO RABANNEOn the 18th February 1934, in San Sebastian, a town in the Spanish Basque region, a child was born who was to lead a highly eventful life.  With LOVE FROM OTAZUAlways straight from the heart Rodrigo Otazu designs by pure instinct and straight from the heart.  Donatella Versace So coutureBlond hair, tanned complexion, sublime evening dresses, passionate and rich. Everything here seems perfect. But more than just an icon, Donatella Versace remains a very mysterious and complex woman.  CHRISTA……La NEO Parisienne……After being established in Cape Town for some time, LA COMTESSE settled in Paris...  NATHALIE COLIN ROBLIQUE « Couture cristalline »“I feel that it is particularly important that the trademark’s versatility gives different groups of consumers an opportunity... " |
