Karl Lagerfeld
A Life in Fashion

Name: Karl Lagerfeld
Brand: Blackstone Audiobooks
Availability: InStock
Author: Alfons Kaiser
ISBN: 9798200946921

Author: Alfons Kaiser, Isabel Adey

Narrator: Stephen R. Thorne

Unabridged: 14 hr 59 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Published: 05/07/2022

Categories: Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Arts & Entertainment, Art

Synopsis

The definitive biography of the last iconic fashion designer“It starts with me and it ends with me.”Karl Lagerfeld stylized himself into a living logo and a myth of the fashion world.Journalist Alfons Kaiser, who knew Lagerfeld personally for many years, here introduces listeners to the public and private life of the charismatic fashion designer. Kaiser explores the many eras of Lagerfeld’s life: the youthful outsider in the north German flatlands; the urbane genius in Paris; the tireless draftsman; the enthusiastic photographer; the passionate book collector; and the disciplined Prussian workaholic.What is behind this larger-than-life figure who, despite a massively public persona, kept his own life story a secret?Drawing from many previously untapped sources, this biography investigates the man behind the persona: the precocious boy who preferred to draw in the attic than play with his peers; the son who quarreled with his parents but never got away from them; Yves Saint Laurent’s competitor, whom he outshone in the end; the brother, uncle, friend—and finally the partner of Jacques de Bascher, the great love of his life.

About Alfons Kaiser

Alfons Kaiser is an editor at the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and is responsible for the society and the style sections as well as the monthly Frankfurter Allgemeine magazine. He prefers to write about fashion.

About Stephen R. Thorne

Stephen Thorne trained at RADA and played several seasons with the Old Vic Company and the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford and London. He has worked extensively in radio, with over two thousand broadcasts for the BBC, including Uncle Mort in the Radio 4 comedy series and the part of Treebeard in The Lord of the Rings. His television work includes EastEnders, Boys from the Bush, Death of an Expert Witness, and David Copperfield.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Bücherangelegenheiten on February 17, 2021

Karl Lagergeld zählte unumstritten zu einem der wichtigsten Modedesigner der letzten Jahrzehnte. Lagerfeld hatte einen Mythos um seine Person aufgebaut, jeder dachte ihn zu kennen, aber eigentlich wusste niemand etwas über ihn. Wer war Lagerfeld wirklich? Dieser Frage geht der F.A.Z.-Journalist Alfo......more

Goodreads review by Ethan on May 16, 2022

The late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld was nothing if not a recognizable persona. His monochromatic look, tailored suit, tinted glasses, and powdered ponytail helped him to become a kind of living logo for his brand. With a quick sketch, he was able to capture the look of the moment, perfectly enc......more

Goodreads review by Wild on May 26, 2024

This is a well-researched book about Karl Lagerfeld who was extremely private with his private life, extremely open and public with his work in fashion for several luxury labels over decades at the same time, and managed to create an icon out of himself. It was great to get an understanding of where......more

Goodreads review by SternenstaubHH on October 10, 2020

Karl Lagerfeld gilt auch heute noch als der perfekte Modedesigner. Der Hamburger, den es früh nach Paris zog und der dort eine unvergleichliche Karriere startete, war ein echter Workaholic. Mich hat vor allem interessiert wer Karl Lagerfeld wirklich war. Der vor einem Jahr verstorbene Designer war b......more

Goodreads review by Patrick on July 16, 2022

losely connected stories, not a great telling of a life but a presentation of a lot of facts.......more

Quotes

“The first thoroughly researched biography of one of the designers of the century.” Vogue Germany

“An excellently written and researched insider biography.” Gala magazine (Paris)

“Impressive…[Kaiser] succeeds in exhibiting Karl Lagerfeld the businessman, the workhorse, and also the private individual in all his dazzling diversity.” Berliner Zeitung

“Using many previously unknown sources, Kaiser traces the fashion designer’s path from adolescent outsider to the dominant star of Parisian fashion.” Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung