A compelling look at the aesthetic and historical significance of Lagerfeld’s work—from his
elegantly tailored pieces for Chanel to the witty playful ensembles that came to define the
Lagerfeld brand “The Met’s latest tome expertly narrates the journey that earned Lagerfeld
his seat at the hallowed throne of modern high fashion.”— V Magazine Unparalleled in its
luxurious presentation this publication celebrates the virtuoso artistry of Karl Lagerfeld
(1933–2019). Designed to evoke an elegant parchment-and-cloth artist’s portfolio it boasts a
pageant of stunning fashion photography alongside Lagerfeld’s original sketches offering a
behind-the-scenes window into his process as well as his sartorial brilliance. Silver inks and
select gold pages punctuate the book’s stylish packaging and recall the designer’s signature
accessories. An illustrated timeline unfurling from the back of the volume chronicles the
designer’s long and illustrious career. Lagerfeld produced over 10 000 pieces of clothing
across his extraordinary 65 years as a powerhouse fashion designer from his time at Chloé and
Fendi in the 1960s and 1970s to his celebrated leadership in the 1980s and beyond at Chanel and
with his own label. His voracious curiosity and boundless imagination yielded beautiful
evocative garments more than 200 of which are showcased here. These are accompanied by
personal reflections from Lagerfeld’s premières d’ateliers—the seamstresses behind his
extraordinary creations—as well as by Anna Wintour Patrick Hourcade Amanda Harlech and Tadao
Ando. A lavish work of art in its own right this book is also an essential resource on
Lagerfeld and how his designs transformed the entire fashion industry. Published by The
Metropolitan Museum of Art Distributed by Yale University Press
