Karl Lagerfeld’s Obsession, Revealed at Le Web

Highlights from Le Web Conference 
Paris 6-8 December 2011

Earlier this month in Paris, Le Web hosted the biggest tech conference in Europe attracting over 300 participants from 60 countries. The speakers included a star studded list of the tech world’s finest including, Google’s Eric Schmidt, Spotify founder Daniel Ek and Instagram’s Kevin Systorm. This year, Le Web scored one of the biggest names in fashion as a speaker, legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld.

In the much anticipated interview, Karl Lagerfeld along with Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet, announced the launch of the new label ‘Karl’ which will be sold exclusively online at Net-a-Porter from January 2012.

In addition to the big announcement about his new line, the fashion icon gave an uncanny and entertaining view into his world:

At the beginning of the interview, Karl revealed his Apple fetish claiming to have an impressive collection of hundreds of iPods, 30-40 iPads and 4 iPhones!  He emphasized the iPad as an important tool, using it to create videos, sketch designs and jot down ideas. In the previous week alone he had used his iPad to film short advertisements for Chanel, where he is the Creative Director. Karl even gave the audience a  demonstration of how he sketches with the iPad, drafting a quick, yet impressive, self-portrait.

The interview continued with some of his witty and insightful responses to questions asked, sure to be quoted sound bites in years to come:

How do you promote your brand?

“I don’t promote myself, I’m just being me”

Has technology changed the creative process?

“Of course, it’s a very strange thing… but it cannot replace paper”

In response to being the world’s most recognized personal brand…

“You have to invent your own rules and stick with them… life will teach you”

When Net-a-Porter’s Natalie Massenet joined Karl on stage they revealed the new ‘Karl’ range that will be launched early next year. The 70 piece collection has a cool rock-chic inspired theme and will be sold at comparatively affordable prices, ranging from 60- 300 Euros. Massenet added, “The amazing thing about this (collection) is its accessibility – the price points are accessible, women all over the world will have access to Karl.” The designs will be premiered at Couture Fashion Week in Paris on January 25, 2012, allowing customers to purchase the collection the same month it’s debuted. Fans can already join the ‘Karl Kult’ to receive the latest news, sign up for competitions, download the mobile app and preview the collection on the Net-a-Porter microsite.

In the final stages of the interview, Karl was asked, “how do you learn?” His response:

• Keep your eyes wide open
• Be over informed
• Be curious and adapt to the changing world

And in true Karl style, always surprising, he ended, “I hate banality… that’s why I am a big fan of Lady Gaga.”

Photo Credit: www.onemanandhisblog.com, www.techcrunch.com