ABOUT THE BRAND

Fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld was renowned worldwide for his aspirational, relevant and cutting-edge approach to style. He was a force of nature, coupled with an enigmatic persona and an original perspective on fashion and pop culture.

In addition to being the creative director of his signature brand, Lagerfeld oversaw the creative direction of the Chanel and Fendi fashion houses. His visionary talent further expanded beyond fashion to include illustration, photography, styling and publishing. 

Hun Kim says it was a mutual love of illustration that first kindled his connection with Karl Lagerfeld back in 2015. “Throughout my career I’ve worked with many designers, but most of them didn’t know how to sketch, which is one of the reasons why Karl and I become close,” Kim recalls. “Karl said, ‘I don’t understand people who design without first sketching their ideas.’ It was very inspiring for me, and we had an immediate click.”

As Creative Director of the Maison KARL LAGERFELD, Kim worked in close collaboration with Lagerfeld to drive the future of the brand’s creative identity. “Karl always guided what he liked, and what he wanted changed; he had an eagle eye,” Hun recalls. “It was amazing to work with and learn from the greatest fashion icon of our time.”

Today, Kim continues to establish a compelling new narrative for the brand, in dialogue with Style Advisor Carine Roitfeld. Collections fuse eclectic influences and inspirations, ranging from Kim’s international travels to history, pop culture and a heavy emphasis of the future. The result combines the brand’s Parisian codes with a contemporary, rock-chic spirit, for a look that is equal parts powerful, romantic and edgy.

Born in South Korea, Kim studied fashion design in both his hometown, Seoul, and New York. He has previously held roles for powerhouse brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Elie Tahari and Ralph Lauren. 

In the heart of Amsterdam’s iconic canals, KARL LAGERFELD’s headquarters are housed in a historic “rijksmonument” heritage monument that’s been transformed into a modern office space. Inspired by the brand’s classic-meets-contemporary DNA, the interior balances historic charm with a sleek aesthetic. Original design features — including an ornate ballroom and lavish marble staircase — combine with art installations, airy atriums, statement furniture and bespoke paintings by the artist Endless. At the top of the building is “Karl’s,” a community living and co-working space with panoramic views of the city. 

Located at 21 Rue Saint-Guillaume, KARL LAGERFELD’s Parisian maison is considered the heart and soul of the brand. It’s in the center of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, which was Karl’s favorite arrondissement, and is also home to the KARL LAGERFELD Boulevard Saint-Germain flagship store. The historic office building carries deep significance, as it housed Karl Lagerfeld’s office and studio where he created countless collections throughout his career. It is further defined by an ornate façade — which is indicative of French 19th century architecture — and overlooks a leafy courtyard that is particularly spectacular in summertime. 

Since his arrival in Paris in the early 1950s, Karl Lagerfeld shared a connection with Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a connection which lives on today. The spirit of the neighborhood resonated with him — with its artistic and literary fervor, book stores, antique dealers and cafés, it was a hub for passionate creatives. Over the years, he had lived all over Saint-Germain and, ever curious, had come to learn a great deal about the neighbourhood’s architecture, with its rich Art Nouveau and Art Deco heritage.

It was no surprise then, that he chose to establish his namesake Maison in a hôtel particulier at 21 Rue Saint-Guillaume, in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Erected in 1887, the building was designed by architect Albert Tournade (1847-1891), known for his award-winning design for the protestant Temple Neuf in Strasbourg and his prize-winning submission to the competition for the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris.

The neoclassical architectural style of the street — with its grandeur of scale, simplicity of geometric forms, blank walls and Roman detail — was the new taste for antique simplicity. It proved to be the perfect backdrop for one of Karl Lagerfeld’s longstanding inspirations: Art Deco. The visual arts and architecture movement, originating in France in the 1920s, combined streamlined, modern and geometric styles with fine craftsmanship and rich materials.

 Karl’s love of Art Deco had led him to amass a well-edited collection of furniture, lamps, decorative arts and ceramics which he had been collecting since the 1960s. The collection represented what he called ‘the roots of modernity,’ an Art Deco style which is restricted to the sparest of forms, expressing both originality and elegance.” A style which he embraced not only in the decoration of his homes, but in that of the maison, in addition to his own designs.

Art Deco represents sleek and anti-traditional elegance that looks to the future, a concept which pairs well with the creative vision of his brand: one that interprets timeless Parisian style, with a touch of modern rock chic. To this day, the movement is intertwined with the brand’s DNA, appearing throughout the KARL LAGERFELD collections with perfect forms, sharp angles and polished silhouettes that look to the future.