For part one of our Met Gala special, we paint a psychosexual portrait of Karl Lagerfeld through an assemblage of fascinating anecdotes. We theorize on his self-emojification, the influence of his German heritage, his paraphilic idiosyncrasies, and his infamous rivalry with Yves Saint Laurent. We also present “fashioncore” as a framework for understanding Karl and Chanel and offer our pre-Gala predictions.

Links:

Baroque and Bildung in the Creative Practice and Personal Style of Karl Lagerfeld by Michael A. Langkjær

Karl Lagerfeld didn’t have a signature design — but he invented a new kind of designer – The Washington Post

Karl Lagerfeld, a man possessed — by possessions | Financial Times

Anna Wintour Breaks Down 13 Karl Lagerfeld Chanel Looks – Vogue

Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent's Rivalry Changed Fashion Forever – W Mag

The Private Provocations of Karl Lagerfeld – W Mag

Supermodel Amber Valletta Breaks Down 15 Looks From 1993 to Now – Vogue

The Chiffon Trenches by André Leon Talley

The Beautiful Fall: Fashion, Genius, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris by Alicia Drake

The Cut: Who Even Was Karl Lagerfeld? on Apple Podcasts

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