Karl Lagerfeld—the Caesar in fashion 老佛爷：卡尔·拉格斐

在时装界还做高级晚装的设计师，现在真的寥寥无几。在法国，时装巨人卡尔·拉格斐（Karl Lagerfeld）是其中之一。对，说起香奈儿，大家都知道他是主帅，但很多人都不知道他是1983年才加入的。 在香港，我们称他“老佛爷”，因为他就像一个大爷一样，一副老祖宗样子！ 永远戴黑眼镜，永远扎上辫子，永远配戴硬身白恤衫领套，说话尖锐常得罪人！ 例如2012年他称赞剑桥公爵夫人美丽时，又在同一时间揶揄她妹妹丑得很，只看背面就够，结果惹来英国人大大不满！

无可否认他是极有才华的，高峰期他同时设计5个品牌，包括1964年开始为克洛伊（Chloe）设计、1972年开始为芬迪（Fendi）设计，还有1980年开始推出的个人品牌。当然最厉害的就是在1983年令香奈儿起死回生！ 进入千禧年，他跟H & M 合作的系列大卖；2008年他创作限量版卡尔玩具熊，售价为每只1500美元；2010年跟瑞典欧瑞诗（Orrefors）水晶公司合作推出水晶系列产品；2013年做导演制作短片《Once upon a time》; 2014年还发行以他为名的免费报纸《卡尔日报》；此外他还是一个专业摄影师，兴趣真的极为广泛。

他多大了？ 一般说法是出生于1933年9月10日，但不知什么原因他从不承认。我只希望他健康，有能力继续创作下去。他的个人店子在江城武汉开业，大家也可以去看看。

Not many fashion designers work in haute couture nowadays. In France, we still have the remarkable fashion giant Karl Lagerfeld. And yet, when talking about Karl we will link him up with Chanel. But do you know he first joined the company was the year 1983? His status is like the Roman giant Julius Caesar, which means Karl has played a critical role in the brand! He always wears black spectacles, his hair is always tied with a pony tail, and accessorizes a stiffened high neck white collar all the time. Also, he always speaks something offensive in public! For instance, in 2012, he appreciated the beauty of Dutchess of Cambridge but at the same time he teased her little sister who looked ugly and people should see her back instead - Certainly it caused British people resentment.

Needless to say this man is full of talent. In his high time he designed collections for 5 different brands including Chloe in 1964, Fendi in 1972, his own brand in the 1980s, and of course the renewed Chanel after his reign in 1983, etc. In millennium, He worked with H & M to make a best sell. In 2008, he created a limited edition of Karl Bear which cost US1,500. In 2010, he collaborated with Orrefors to create crystal design. In 2013, he even made his short film “Once upon a time”. And in 2014, he published a free copy of newspaper “Karl Daily”, not to mention he is also a professional photographer!

Last but not least, no one knows how old he is. People always rumour that he was born in 10th Sept 1933 but he never admits! Come what may, I hope he is always healthy to go on with his creative work. He has a shop in Jiangcheng, Wuhan. Let's take a look then.

In Hong Kong, we think Karl status is like the Roman giant Julius Caesar, which means Karl has played a critical role in the brand!

在香港， 我们称卡尔 “老佛爷” ， 因为他就像一个大爷一样， 一副老祖宗样子！

http://www.karl.com/

Illustration/插图： Stella Tang Fung Chi