Karl Lagerfeld: freedom, motorcycles, fashion

Karl Lagerfeld was a giant in the fashion world; the charismatic, photographer, fashion hero was obsessed with motorcycle culture and even had a passion for… road safety

Karl Lagerfeld, the German, self-taught master, who referred to himself as a “complete improvisation", changed French fashion and inspired millions with his artistry and craft over decades, died this morning in Paris at the age of 85.

Lagerfeld had an understanding of motorcycle culture and how it sells everything. He also understood the motorcycle's ability to inspire descent and the need for the former in spurring creativity in society at large. Read: sometimes you need to be loud, get dirty and go fast to breed anew. Discuss.

Without a doubt, motorcycle culture and fashion go wayback. Mods and Rockers case and point. Motorcycle culture has always been part fashion, part bike. The motorcycle jacket, once banned on American TV for its subversive iconography, has always been the decided epitome of capturing freedom. The motorcycle jacket is everywhere in fashion. It's simply the only way the common human can appropriate motorcycle freedom and danger without the consequence, and without the fear.

No, Karl Lagerfeld was not the last to be inspired by the freedom machine, but he was the first to bring motorcycle culture to luxury ready-to-wear when creative director at the house of Chanel.

Only months before his death, his very last motorcycle inspiration was a master stroke in youth culture featuring Kaia Gerber, the 17-year-old model--who is the daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber. She drooled when KL asked her to collaborate with him on a motorcycle jacket. Released in late 2018, the jacket sold out in minutes.

A generation earlier, Karl Lagerfeld draped Linda Evangelista in a Chanel's motorcycle jacket, complete with fishnet stockings and damn great boots. KL understood how sexy a motorcycle can make you feel, and you didn't need to ride it or even sit on it, just stand near it to reap the benefits.

One of the most opinionated men in fashion, Karl Lagerfeld published many photography books; he was also an actor, known to play a caricature of himself. But what you may not know is that KL also turned in an advertisement for road safety with this terrific message: "It's yellow, it's ugly, it doesn't match anything, but it can save lives."

Lagerfeld for Ruby helmets, while not so safe, was collaboration with Parisian high-end helmet designer Les Ateliers Ruby, together they create a line of helmets with built-in iPods. Unfortunately, while a great experiment in high-fashion motorcycle safety equipment, Ruby went bust in 2014, selling DOT, open face helmets for prices in excess of $1400 each. I like the furry one.

The superwoman, according to Karl Lagerfeld, was full of adventure, filled with mischief and a Ducati 750ss between her legs. Too bad he didn't go all the way and give Keira Knightley the protection she needed with built in armour for that catsuit… he too was captured by the fantasy, but the lack of safety betrays his truth: clearly KL didn't ride. Here she is… Coco Mademoiselle: Behind The Scenes.

Merci pour tout. Rest in peace Monsieur Karl.

Read more

Vogue Paris pays homage to Karl Lagerfeld

Take in Karl Lagerfeld's most iconic designs via wwd.com

Enjoy the history of Karl Lagerfeld's early genius and influence via the BBC