Karl Lagerfeld's Monaco Apartment, 1983
In an era when personal and professional boundaries continue to blur, so much of a designer’s private life is representative of their creative process. The homes of fashion designers often reflect a fondness for particular stylistic elements and eras, which, in some way or another, manage to find themselves in the clothing they design
Karl Lagerfeld at Home in Monaco, 1983
That was far from the case in the 1980s. Few could imagine when Karl Lagerfeld showed his debut collection for the house of Chanel – an austere grouping of ladylike garments – during the spring/summer 1983 haute couture season, that the German designer’s Monaco apartment was filled to the brim with Memphis-era furnishings.
Karl Backstage at Chanel
Spring/Summer 1993 Couture
Lagerfeld’s premiere collection was a revival of classic codes for the modern Chanel woman, drawing inspiration from Coco Chanel in the 1920s and 30s, re-imaged in a primarily black and white color pallet, for the sophisticated woman who preferred longer, leaner proportions.
Chanel
Spring/Summer 1993 Couture
Chanel
Spring/Summer 1993 Couture
At a time when Lagerfeld was sending crisp cotton shirts, lengthy black tweed sailor pants and matching, shrunken hats down the haute couture runway, his home was filled with wild colors, conflicting shapes, synthetic materials and graphic, 80s-era patterns. Karl’s entire Monaco apartment was stocked with slanted bookshelves and lamps by Memphis founder Ettore Sottsass, a bright, light-up dressing table by Michael Graves, atypical furniture my Peter Shire, colorful sofas by Marco Zanini, countless inventive wardrobes and cabinets by Michele De Lucchi, and even a Memphis Studio-designed television.
Karl Lagerfeld's Monaco Apartment, 1983
Michael Graves, “Important Plaza” Dressing Table. Studio Memphis Brionvega Television
Karl Lagerfeld's Monaco Apartment, 1983
Michele De Lucchi, “Pacific” Wardrobe. Michele De Lucchi, “Oceanic” Table Lamp. Peter Shire, “Brazil” Table
Karl Lagerfeld's Monaco Apartment, 1983
Marco Zanini, “Dublin” Sofa. Helmut Newton Photograph. Ettore Sottsass, “Beverly” Cabinet
Karl Lagerfeld's Monaco Apartment, 1983
Michele De Lucchi, “Atlantic” Chest of Drawers, Ettore Sottsass, “Ashoka” Lamp.
Karl Lagerfeld's Monaco Apartment, 1983
Javier Mariscal, “Hilton” Moveable Table, Ettore Sottsass, “Tahiti” Lamp, Michele De Lucchi, “Grand Lit” Bed, Michele De Lucchi, “Kristall” Side Table, Ettore Sottsass, “Cavalieri” Floor Lamp
Lagerfeld’s Memphis obsession was soon a thing of the past, like the Rococo and Art Deco-era furnishings that came before, at separate times also completely overtaking the designer’s home, and in 1991 Lagerfeld auctioned off his entire collection through Sotheby’s. Judging by the recent resurgence and appreciation for Memphis furnishings and graphics, Karl Lagerfeld has once again been proven a visionary.
