A TRIBUTE TO KARL LAGERFELD: THE WHITE SHIRT PROJECT 

To honor Karl Lagerfeld’s memory and enduring legacy, his namesake Maison united his closest collaborators to celebrate one of his most beloved styles: the white shirt. 

For this unique project, a global community of creative talents and Karl’s friends came together to design their own interpretations of his iconic white shirt. Particpants included Kaia Gerber, Gigi Hadid, Helen Mirren, Olivia Palermo, Soo Joo Park, Holli Rogers, Nadja Swarovski, Amber Valletta, Lewis Hamilton, Simone Legno, Alton Mason, Alessandro Michele, Jean-Baptiste Mondino, Cristiano Ronaldo, Steven Wilson and more. 

LUCKY SEVEN 

Central to the project was the symbolic power of seven, Karl’s lucky number, which recurred throughout the initiative. Seven shirts — by Carine Roitfeld, Cara Delevingne, Tommy Hilfiger, Sébastien Jondeau, Diane Kruger, Kate Moss and Takashi Murakami — were each replicated 77 times and sold for €777 per piece on KARL.COM and Farfetch.com. As a heartfelt tribute, the proceeds of each shirt’ssale were donated to the “Sauver la Vie” charity initiative for medical research at Paris Descartes University.

“Karl always said that with everything you do, you need to surprise people,” said Carine Roitfeld, who curated the global tribute project as KARL LAGERFELD’s then Style Advisor. “This is a wonderful, creative way for us to honor his legacy. The overall reaction has been quite fun, and Karl would have loved that.”

THE EXHIBITION 

All of the original shirts were displayed at a private VIP exhibition at the Maison KARL LAGERFELD on September 25, 2019, during Paris Fashion Week. The star-studded event was attended by guests like Anna Wintour, Carine Roitfeld, Takashi Murakami, Gigi Hadid, Kaia Gerber, Jourdan Dunn, Lucky Blue Smith, Alton Mason, Soo Joo Park, Devon Windsor, Karlie Kloss, Olivia Palermo, Amber Valletta, Caroline Daur, Lil Buck and Eva Herzigová. 

The exhibition then moved to select KARL LAGERFELD stores worldwide, where consumers were invited to share in the experience and become part of the tribute.  

SAUVER LA VIE  

Founded in 2016, Sauver la Vie is a French charity that supports the advancement of scientific research at Paris Descartes University’s Faculty of Medicine. Funds raised by the charity support a diverse range of projects, from laboratory and academic research to treatments that directly impact patients. 

Karl Lagerfeld was deeply committed to supporting the charity and even drew their logo by hand. He also photographed the medical staff of the University Paris Descartes, which appeared in a special-edition book to celebrate the commitment and dedication of medical doctors who work in the university’s hospital. 

“It’s an honor for us to be involved in the Tribute to Karl Lagerfeld, who supported our charity for many years,” said Professor Gérard Friedlander, Founder of Sauver la Vie. “Embracing the generous spirit that Karl demonstrated to us, this project is a special way to give back and support medical research to benefit all.” 

AN ENDURING LEGACY 

Beyond the numbers and the design, A Tribute to Karl: The White Shirt Project demonstrated how Karl’s signature aesthetic continues to inspire, evolve and resonate across generations, while celebrating the lasting relationships he cultivated with those closest to him. 

The initiative offered an intimate glimpse intohiscreative universe, highlighting the connections, experiences and mutual respect that defined his life and work.Morethana celebration of artistry, the project was a symbolic reminder that Karl’s creative spirit lives on — not only in his iconic designs, but in the people who carry his vision forward.