Karl Lagerfeld purchased 8 rue de Saint-Pères in 2008 and renovated it himself.
Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
Karl Lagerfeld’s Most Beloved Possessions Hit the Block at Sotheby’s
See inside the fashion maestro’s extraordinary homes ahead of the eight-part sale, which kicks off in early December
A glimpse into the bedroom at Louveciennes. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
While Karl Lagerfeld was revered for the sartorial creations he conceived, his many residences revealed his passion for collectible design. Now more than 1,000 lots owned by the late fashion icon are coming to auction at Sotheby’s in an eight-part sale taking place in Monaco and Paris in early December and Cologne, Germany, next spring. “He was extremely open to all styles and artistic movements of the 20th century,” Pierre Mothes, vice president of Sotheby’s France tells Galerie. “His only motto was, ‘I don’t want to become the curator of my own collection.’ He could buy an important piece of art déco furniture together with an earthenware figure by Robj.”
Among the treasures hitting the block are pieces from the various spaces he lived in, including his 19th-floor apartment in Monaco’s Millefiori tower; his 19th-century house in Louveciennes; his apartment at 17 quai Voltaire in Paris; his office at 15 rue des Saint-Pères; and the never-before shot apartment opposite, at 8 rue des Saint-Pères. While residence appears uniquely different, there are definitely some common threads. “Louveciennes was conceived as an anthology of his tastes, with colors that could evoke his childhood,” explains Mothes. “The apartment at 17 quai Voltaire also illustrated a certain taste for simplicity, and the most contemporary creations, which appeared to be common in the last three places he was able to live.”
Karl Lagerfeld’s 8 rue des Saint-Pères apartment. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
Karl Lagerfeld’s 8 rue des Saint-Pères apartment. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
Art Deco pieces from duo Louis Süe and André Mare, the couturier’s three Rolls-Royce cars, and an almost endless assortment of Goyard luggage are featured alongside deeply personal items, including a Lagerfeld portrait by Takashi Murakami and a sculpture of his beloved cat, Choupette, by Joana Vasconcelos. “The biggest challenge was to make a selection that covered all Karl Lagerfeld’s tastes,” says Mothes. “By selecting a bit more than 1000 lots, we wanted to highlight Karl’s immense culture. This group gives us some clues on Karl Lagerfeld’s lifestyle and on the man he was. One of the biggest surprises was to see that he had kept a lot of furniture and objects by Süe & Mare, thus remaining faithful to his taste for Art Deco 1925 furniture since the 1970s.”
Karl Lagerfeld's Louveciennes home. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
Although Karl Lagerfeld was greatly respected in the fashion world, the way he lived with design objects and art reveals a unique sense of playfulness too. “He could have a huge sense of humor, together with an ironic approach of life,” says Mothes. “This is the combination that made him so modern.”
See more images from the homes below.
Karl Lagerfeld's apartment on the Quai Voltaire. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
Karl Lagerfeld's apartment in Louveciennes. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
Karl Lagerfeld's apartment on Quai Voltaire. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
Cover: Karl Lagerfeld purchased 8 rue de Saint-Pères in 2008 and renovated it himself.
Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
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