Team Zoe traveled to Paris this week to celebrate a very exciting beauty launch with the one and only Karl Lagerfeld. As to be expected, we picked up a few amazing facts about Kaiser Karl along the way…
#1. He creates sketches using makeup.
Karl has been using Shu Uemura’s pressed eye shadows to create his fashion sketches for over 20 years. The red color in the palette is custom-created especially for him.
#2. He’s opening a store every three weeks.
Karl's global retail expansion has been fast and furious; the company has been averaging one new store every three weeks! Next up: London and the Middle East. By the end of 2016 the total number of Karl Lagerfeld stores will likely reach 100.
#3. His latest collaboration is a black tie-inspired shoe.
Karl’s second collaboration with sustainable Brazilian shoe brand, Melissa, launches this summer. One of the key styles is a clever kitten heel fashioned out of a mock tie and collar called the "black tie heel" - it will come in several colors.
#4. He’s held onto staffers for over fifty years.
Several of Karl’s key collaborators have been with him for decades. In fact, Anita Briey, Karl’s Director of Atelier, has made it well past the 50-year mark. She started working with Karl as an intern back in the ‘60s!
#5. The 'Karl wardrobe' is a best-seller.
Karl’s first namesake store opened in Paris in 2013 and sells everything from Choupette keychains to gorgeous little dresses but his black quilted bags and 'Karl wardrobe' pieces (a.k.a. leather jackets, white button-downs, black skinnies) are the store's best-sellers.
#6. He shoots all of his campaigns in the back of a bookstore.
Located on a quiet cobblestone street in the 7th District of Paris, Karl’s art and architecture bookstore, called 7L Bookshop, also includes a photo studio, where he shoots all of his campaigns.
#7. He created his own emoticon language.
Karl recently launched the EmotiKarl app; a collection of signature emoticons which you can email, text and share with friends on Facebook using iPhone and Android devices.
#8. Selfies are encouraged in his dressing rooms.
While most stores would scold you for snapping a selfie in the dressing room, Karl makes it easy with an iPad mounted right on the mirror and an easy-to-follow guide to snapping and sharing your look for friends and followers to see.
#9. He knows how to party.
Karl loves to dance. Always has. At his launch parties, major real estate is dedicated to dance floor space, complete with a high profile dj and a disco ball. Also on offer: green juice, champagne, seafood canapes and a whole lot of patisserie.
#10. His new fragrance launches this month.
Available exclusively at Macy’s, Karl’s new namesake fragrance for women and cologne for men echo his edgy-meets-classical aesthetic in every way. The green floral fragrance with musk and amber base notes is, acccording to Karl, "like fashion for the nose".
