The American actor Jared Leto will interpret the iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld who died in February 2021 at the age of 85.

A respectful ode to Karl Lagerfeld

Last year, Jared Leto caused a sensation by playing Paulo Gucci in an in Ridley Scott’s movie, House of Gucci. He shows once again with this new project his attraction for the world of fashion “Karl has always been an inspiration to me”, declared the Oscar-winning actor for his role as a junkie in Dallas Buyers Club. “He was a universal spirit, an artist, an innovator, a leader and more important than you, a good man. When we spoke with his team, we immediately shared a creative vision that will be a respectful ode to Karl , while pushing the artistic boundaries of what a biopic can be.”

Karl’s relationships

Through this movie, Leto wishes to “explore the multiplicity of personal and professional relationships that Karl Lagerfeld has maintained over fifty years of his career. We’re going to focus on her key relationships that embody the different periods of her life,” he told Women’s Wear Daily. Born in Hamburg, Germany, Karl Otto Lagerfeldt, his real name, began his career as a fashion illustrator. In 1954, he won first prize, tied with Yves Saint Laurent, from the International Wool Secretariat, organized by Woolmark. Noticed by Pierre Balmain, member of the jury, Karl Lagerfeld was hired as personal assistant to the couturier from 1955 to 1962. Artistic director of couturier Jean Patou from 1959, he then joined the Chloé brand in 1963 for his loan collection. à-porter and its line of accessories. He kept his position until 1983 and at the same time collaborated with the Italian house Fendi from 1965.

Artisitc director of Chanel

In 1983, the Chanel fashion house was in decline since the disappearance of Coco Chanel and was close to closing. Karl Lagerfeld was then chosen to perpetuate the spirit of the stylist and became artistic director of the brand. He chose the model Inès de la Fressange to embody the label. Having become a key figure in fashion, Karl Lagerfeld continues through his profession to redefine the image of women.