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This catalogue is the first to present an insightful overview of Karl Lagerfeld’s artistry across his extraordinary 65-year career as a fashion designer and creative visionary.

Exhibition Catalogue

All designs by Karl Lagerfeld (French, born Germany, 1933–2019).

Composite Image, 2023. Photographed by Julia Hetta. Photo © Julia Hetta



Karl Lagerfeld Portrait. Photo: Annie Leibovitz / Vogue /Trunk Archive

Dress, House of CHANEL (French, founded 1910), Spring-Summer 2019 Haute Couture; Courtesy Patrimoine de CHANEL, Paris. Photo © Julia Hetta



Sketch of CHANEL dress, Spring-Summer 2019 Haute Couture; Courtesy Patrimoine de CHANEL, Paris.



Runway image of CHANEL dress, Spring-Summer 2019 Haute Couture. Photo: Victor Boyko / Getty Images

Coat, House of CHANEL (French, founded 1910), Fall-Winter 2017/18 Haute Couture; Courtesy Patrimoine de CHANEL, Paris. © Julia Hetta



Sketch of CHANEL coat, Fall-Winter 2017/18 Haute Couture; Courtesy Patrimoine de CHANEL, Paris.



Runway image of CHANEL coat, Fall-Winter 2017/18 Haute Couture.
Photo: Peter White / Getty Images

Coat, House of CHANEL (French, founded 1910), Fall-Winter 2014/15 Haute Couture; Courtesy Patrimoine de CHANEL, Paris. Photo © Julia Hetta



Sketch of CHANEL coat, Fall-Winter 2014/15 Haute Couture; Courtesy Patrimoine de CHANEL, Paris.



Runway image of CHANEL Coat, Fall-Winter 2014/15 Haute Couture.
Photo: Dominique Charriau / WireImage/ Getty Images

Wedding dress, House of CHANEL (French, founded 1910), Fall-Winter 2005/06 Haute Couture; Courtesy Patrimoine de CHANEL, Paris. Photo © Julia Hetta



Sketch of CHANEL wedding dress, Fall-Winter 2005/06 Haute Couture; Courtesy Patrimoine de CHANEL, Paris.



Runway image of CHANEL wedding dress, Fall-Winter 2005/06 Haute Couture. Photo: Giovanni Giannoni / WWD / Penske Media via Getty Images

Dress, FENDI (Italian, founded 1925), spring/summer 1997; Courtesy FENDI. Photo © Julia Hetta



Sketch of FENDI dress, spring/summer 1997; Courtesy FENDI.



Runway image of FENDI dress, spring/summer 1997. Photo: Davide Maestri / WWD / Penske Media via Getty Images

“Rachmaninoff” dress, CHLOÉ (French, founded 1952), spring/summer 1973; Courtesy CHLOÉ. Photo © Julia Hetta



Sketch of CHLOÉ “Rachmaninoff” dress, spring/summer 1973; Courtesy CHLOÉ.


Coat, FENDI (Italian, founded 1925), fall/winter
2000–2001; Courtesy FENDI. Photo © Julia Hetta



Sketch of FENDI coat, fall/winter 2000–2001; Courtesy FENDI.

Ensemble, KARL LAGERFELD (French, founded 1984), fall/winter 2004–5; Courtesy KARL LAGERFELD. Photo © Julia Hetta



Dress, KARL LAGERFELD (French, founded 1984), fall/winter 1985–6, edition 2023; Courtesy KARL LAGERFELD. Photo © Julia Hetta

Selected Images

These interviews were conducted by the French filmmaker Loïc Prigent at Karl Lagerfeld’s Paris bookstore and studio space, Librairie 7L. The women featured worked with Lagerfeld over a period of many years and in a variety of environments, some even moving between fashion houses at his invitation. As premières d’atelier, they oversaw the process of patternmaking and modeling toiles within their respective studios at Chloé, Fendi, Chanel, and for Lagerfeld’s eponymous house. These recollections provide insight into Lagerfeld’s creative practice, illuminating how his design team would translate his two-dimensional sketches into finished garments, the ways in which he worked across different houses, and the mutual respect that flourished within his ateliers.


Directed by Loïc Prigent (French, born 1973)
Produced by Deralf/Bangumi
Courtesy Deralf/Bangumi




Interview with Anita Briey, former première d’atelier at Karl Lagerfeld, and Nicole Lefort, former textile artist for Chloé, 2022





Interview with Stefania D’Alfonso première of the fur atelier at Fendi, 2022





Interview with Olivia Douchez première d’atelier flou at Chanel, and Jacqueline Mercier, former première d’atelier tailleur at Chanel, 2022





Interview with Anita Briey former première d’atelier at Karl Lagerfeld, 2022



Premières d’Atelier 

Look back at highlights from the Met Gala red carpet livestream.


Watch the red carpet arrivals from the 2023 Met Gala, held on May 1. This year's event celebrates the opening of the exhibition 

The Met Gala

During Karl Lagerfeld’s sixty-five-year career, the fashion industry witnessed profound shifts in attitudes toward the treatment of animals in the production of clothing from creative, scientific, legislative, and environmental perspectives. In America, organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States (founded 1954), the Animal Welfare Institute (founded 1979), and PETA (founded 1980) advocated for the humane and ethical treatment of animals. While some legislation served to protect animals at the federal level, like the Endangered Species Act of 1973, action began to occur more frequently through local and state legislation. In 2019, California became the first state to ban the sale of new fur products, and thirteen municipalities across the country have since passed similar laws. Over the years, some of the most impactful change has been the animal welfare policies adopted due to partnerships between animal protection organizations and fashion brands and retailers who are moving away from the use of animal products.

In 2018, Chloé pledged to go fur-free, and Chanel announced that they would no longer use fur or exotic skins in their fashions. The following year Lagerfeld’s eponymous label officially renounced fur, and Chloé further expanded their commitment to prohibit the use of exotic skins. While Fendi has yet to adopt a fur-free policy, their fashion collections have moved from “haute fourrure” (2015–18) to the designation of “Fendi couture” (2018–present). As the fashion industry continues to innovate, modern alternatives have emerged that can achieve, and even surpass, the haptic and aesthetic qualities of fur and skins while also fulfilling the functions of warmth and protection that fur has historically provided.



Additional Resources on Fur in Fashion:



. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1997.

Farley Gordon, Jennifer and Colleen Hill.

 Sustainable Fashion: Past, Present, and Future

The Humane Society of the United States/Humane Society International

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Fur and Fashion

Gallery 899

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Over 5,000 years of art from around the world.

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Met Gala

The Met Fifth Avenue

The Costume Institute’s spring 2023 exhibition will examine the work of Karl Lagerfeld (1933–2019). Focusing on the designer’s stylistic vocabulary as expressed in aesthetic themes that appear time and again in his fashions from the 1950s to his final collection in 2019, the show will spotlight the German-born designer’s unique working methodology. Most of the approximately 150 pieces on display will be accompanied by Lagerfeld’s sketches, which underscore his complex creative process and the collaborative relationships with his premières, or head seamstresses. Lagerfeld’s fluid lines united his designs for Balmain, Patou, Chloé, Fendi, Chanel, and his eponymous label, Karl Lagerfeld, creating a diverse and prolific body of work unparalleled in the history of fashion.

To access the booklet of all large-print exhibition text, click 

This exhibition contains ambient audio. For assistive listening, click 

 created by Michel Gaubert, the Paris-based music supervisor who frequently collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld.

You must join the virtual exhibition queue via QR code once inside the Museum. No advance or timed tickets required. Access is first come, first served and subject to capacity limitations.

- Bags larger than 11 x 17 x 5 in (28 x 43 x 13 cm)
- Backpacks
- Strollers (parking is available adjacent to the exhibition)
- Liquids

Evening Hours: Every Sunday until 9 pm. (The rest of the Museum is not open during these hours.)
Met Member Morning Hours: 9–10 am every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday starting May 6.


Join Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge of The Costume Institute, on a tour of the exhibition 

Both videos directed by Loïc Prigent (French, born 1973) and produced by Deralf/Bangumi. Courtesy Deralf/Bangumi.

Featured Content

Watch a teaser for The Costume Institute’s 

Exhibition Promo—Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty

Mannequins specially made for the exhibition, 

, reflect the renowned fashion designer’s aesthetic tastes.

Making the Mannequins

Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty

? You must join the virtual exhibition queue once inside the Museum.

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy.

Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty

Met Gala 2023 Livestream Highlights

Met Gala 2023 Red Carpet Arrivals

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