The world according to Karl Lagerfeld is one we know well, thanks to the designer's frequent one-liners, commentary on just about everything, and overall penchant for honesty above all else. The designer became as notorious for his candid, and sometimes controversial, interviews as he did for his work at Chanel and Fendi. In the past year alone, Lagerfeld kept people on the edge of their seats at runways shows when he turned the Grand Palais into a beach for Chanel's Spring 2019 show [1], launched a new makeup line [2] with Karl-inspired packaging, and released a clothing line [3] in collaboration with Kaia Gerber.
In honor of Lagerfeld's legacy, we're remembering him with some of our favorite Karl-isms, a zany mix of the most outrageous and the most colorful things he said.
Karl on His Style as a Child
"When I was four, I asked my mother for a valet for my birthday. I wanted my clothes prepared so I could wear anything I wanted at any time of the day. I was a clothes freak. And I was mad for dressing differently at least four times a day."
— in WWD Profiles
Karl on Working Out
"I worked out when I was very young and then one day I was bored to death by it. I did it before other people did it. I did it in the '60s and late '50s."
— in Vice [4]
align=right>Karl on His Cutout Gloves
"Because in the old protocol, it is impolite to say hello to somebody who is wearing gloves. And you know I cannot sketch if I have leather here [on my fingertips]. It also makes the arm longer. And you know what it means in French to have a long arm? It means you are influential."
— in M Magazine [5]
align=right>Karl on Hats
"With my hairdo, I can't wear hoods."
— in M Magazine [6]
align=right>Karl on His Lifetime Achievements
"I don't believe in lifetime achievement. For me it is all about the next collection."
— in 2002 CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award [7]
Karl on Carine Roitfeld's Children
"You're also very lucky because they are very beautiful. It would have been difficult to have an ugly daughter."
— in Interview [8]
align=right>Karl on Paradise
"You were never told that Saint-Tropez is paradise?"
— in singer Jean-Roch's music video [9] "Saint-Tropez," where he plays an all-white-clad heavenly father
align=right>Karl on Keeping in Touch
"People I'm really friendly with have faxes. Anna Wintour has one."
— in Vogue UK [10]
align=right>Karl on iPods
"The iPod is genius. I have 300."
— in Vogue UK [11]
align=right>Karl on Casual Dressing
"Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life, so you bought some sweatpants."
— in Vogue [12]
align=right>Karl on His Humbleness
"I'm very much down to earth, just not this earth."
Karl on His Cat, Choupette
"There is no marriage, yet, for human beings and animals. I never thought that I would fall in love like this with a cat."
— in an interview with CNN's Alina Cho [13]
Karl on Social Media
"Those social networks, there's something sad about them . . . It's like a talkative mirror where people talk to themselves. And what I hate most in life is selfies."
— in WWD [14]
Karl on His Work Ethic
"I am sort of a vampire, taking the blood of other people."
— in Vogue UK [15]
align=right>Karl on Furnishing a Home
"The most important piece in the house is the garbage can."
— in Vogue [16]
Karl on Footwear
"What I hate most is flip-flops. I'm physically allergic to flip-flops."
— in M Magazine [17]
align=right>Karl on Parenting
"They grow so fast, and having adult children makes you look 100 years old. I don't want that."
— in Vogue UK [18]
Karl on To-Do Lists
"If someone gives me a to-do list, I say 'thank you, this is nice.' One needs things to throw in the wastebasket."
— on his site [19]
align=right>Karl on Tattoos
"I think tattoos are horrible. It's like living in a Pucci dress full time. If you're young and tight, maybe it's OK, but . . ."
— in Vogue UK [20]
align=right>Karl on Designing Wedding Dresses
"Normally, I don't recommend me for wedding dresses — they all get a divorce."
— in Vogue UK [21]
Karl on Life Goals
"My only ambition in life . . . is to wear size 28 jeans."
— in New York Magazine [22]
align=right>Karl on Designing
"I design like I breathe. You don't ask to breathe. It just happens."
— in a behind-the-scenes collaboration video [23]