• Germany edition
Society
Photo: DPA

Karl Lagerfeld pans Berlin fashion scene

Published: 11 Nov 10 12:56 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20101111-31109.html

German designer Karl Lagerfeld on Thursday disparaged Berlin's budding fashion scene, calling it “pretentious” and uninspired.

In an interview with weekly Die Zeit, the Paris-based designer blasted the German capital's modest yet growing contribution to the fashion world.

“Oh Berlin, the city that wants to be so avant-garde,” the notoriously sharp-tongued Lagerfeld said. “There is a certain artistic pretentiousness there that I find rather depressing and not particularly new. It was okay at the beginning, when the Wall fell, but what it done since that’s so special?”

Lagerfeld, who has spent nearly his entire career in Paris since relocating there in 1953, was also dismissive of Berlin’s attempt to create a homegrown fashion event, saying: “Berlin Fashion Week...frankly I must confess it doesn’t interest me.”

He admitted he was largely unfamiliar with younger German designers aside from Michael Michalsky, who “discovered fashion by reading about me and Chloé in magazines. I like Michael, but I don’t know anything about the rest of them.”

Despite his attack on Berlin, the designer had some unusually kind words about the general state of German style, saying “today there are as many stylish Germans as French, Italians or Americans.”

Lagerfeld, who famously sports a shirt with oversized collar and fingerless gloves at all times, saved most of his fashion ire for Germany's intellectuals, such as Nobel Prize-winning author Günter Grass.

“Nowadays intellectuals are all slobs, and not just the German ones," Lagerfeld moaned. "I’m sorry, but I hate scruffy intellectuals. Günter Grass should put on a collar and tie, he’d look younger.”

The childless Lagerfeld also found time to dispense some wisdom to wee ones. “I never wanted to be a child, I always wanted to be older,” he told Die Zeit. “This advice I give to all children: either you make like an adult or you’d better shut your mouth.”

Long known for his outlandish persona and his sharp tongue, Lagerfeld admitted at the end of the interview that even he wasn't perfect.

“I know that I’m superficial. Being superficial is my job.”

The Local/rm

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

13:42 November 11, 2010 by lordkorner
The man looks exactly like my Granny with sunglasses,God bless her soul.
14:45 November 11, 2010 by William Thirteen
it's a dirty job, but someone has to do it...
18:26 November 11, 2010 by derExDeutsche
Well I don't know about the Berlin designers. But Berlins young people are looking like a German Williamsburg. How Preposterous, Man!! What in name of little stuffed sunglass wearing dogs could Karl find 'Pretentious and uninspired' about Berlin?

but isn't that the whole point? Pretentious and Uninspired... throw in a little Degenerate art, and isn't that what Berlin has ALWAYS done best?

Because even if the World Class Talent is hard to spot, the enthusiasm is not;)
18:53 November 11, 2010 by rfwilson
Hmmm.... Speaking of being "pretentious", it seems to me that this is a good example of the expression "The pot calling the kettle "black"!" Lagerfeld is the very definition of the word "pretentious"!
21:52 November 11, 2010 by majura
You can't use the word 'pretentious' to describe other people when you dress your manbag dog/soft-toy (with fashionistas, who can really tell?) to be a Mini-me.
23:06 November 11, 2010 by Dizz
Karl my man, when you're right, you're right! Mmm mm.
09:56 November 12, 2010 by hOU
Lagerfeld's a div in a div trade.

His look is laughable, I don't think I could take meeting him in the flesh, I'm not man enough to take thát much hilarity in one sitting. LOL
11:24 November 16, 2010 by canadianinberlin
People, that's not a dog, that's a BEAR! Get with it!
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Most Germans optimistic about the future

Although less than 50 percent of Germans are optimistic about their current situation, more than half think their future will be better and the number of pessimists in the country dropped, a survey released on Saturday showed. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Organic food stores expand rapidly

Organic food and health stores are undergoing a hefty expansion in Germany, with the Vitalia chain taking over several locations from the bankrupt Schlecker drugstore chain in Munich alone. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Friedrich wants hate preachers expelled

Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich has called for the expulsion of Islamic religious leaders who preach hate and said Germany’s laws must be changed to accomplish that. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Russians top asylum seekers to Germany

The number of asylum seekers in Germany rose once again in April and was nearly three times higher than last year, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees said on Friday, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Economists warn against German euro exit

While a third of Germans would rather pay with the old Deutsche mark than the euro, economists warn that a German exit from the currency union would result in a disaster. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Survey: Half of gays harassed in Germany

Nearly 50 percent of German lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents reported being harassed and/or discriminated against last year, a study on the European Union’s LGBT community released on Friday and published in the Süddeutsche Zeitung showed. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Burning ship had tonnes of radioactive material

After a freighter went up in flames at the start of the month while carrying radioactive material into Hamburg's harbour, it has emerged that the German port city receives such hazardous cargo up to seven times a month. READ () »

Photo: CDU

Christian Democrats set up political donation ATM

Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats have installed a automated teller machine for political donations up to €100 at their HQ. The election campaign gag attracts tourists paying a few euros for the receipt it spits out. READ () »

More Society
RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
Highlights
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Harmless pink fun or a bad influence on young girls? A life-size Barbie dream house attraction opened in Berlin to protests including a topless woman burning a doll in effigy.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
At his final heartbeat I knew I had to act. Our German of the Week is Tina K., who, after her brother was beaten to death, has been campaigning for an end to street violence in Berlin.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
The Local List: Ten German words with double meanings
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
The Local's English-language movie listings for Germany
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Conflict is part of the fabric of Berlin, but the city's "Peacemaker" soothes things over. Jessica Ware tracked him down for a chat.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
It might be politically toxic, but it's time to hit the brakes on Germany's reckless driving culture, argues The Local's Ben Knight.
Photo: M&S
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Move over Berlin: why London is Germany's new fashion capital
Photo: Private
OPINION »
For this edition of My German Career, former US military man turned armed guard Keith Alban talks about leaving home in search of a better quality of life.
Photo: Katie Needs
SOCIETY »
Offseason, Germany's largest island Rügen might not top many peoples' list of dream holidays. But as The Local discovered, its quiet beauty makes it worth a trip to escape city bustle.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
Confused about the hundreds of euros missing from your pay packet? Don't panic - the latest in The Local's JobTalk series looks at German social security payments.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Is that your Handy ringing? This week's Local List takes a look at 12 misused English words in German.
Photo: A Peoples' Picture
LIFESTYLE »
An American is stirring up creative spontaneity in Dresden by leaving disposable cameras around for strangers' use, before collecting them and displaying the results online.
Photo: Private
LIFESTYLE »
After it was revealed that Angela Merkel had a Polish grandfather, Matthew Luxmoore set out to find where she could connect to her roots in Berlin's sizable Polish community.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Why isn't everyone wearing Lederhosen? It's easy for foreigners to stereotype Germany, but this week's Local List is dedicated to debunking common myths.
Photo: Private
OPINION »
The last time Si Liberman saw Berlin, he was thousands of feet in the air on a US bombing raid over Nazi Germany. Nearly seven decades later, he returned to the city.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
What are the hidden rules of etiquette foreigners need to watch out for while doing business in Germany? The Local's JobTalk series has tips for keeping on the right side of your colleagues.
Photo: DPA
NATIONAL »
All of The Local's 'Germans of the Week' so far
Photo: DPA
NATIONAL »
Every town and city from The Local's My Germany series
Furniture Leasing Corporation
SPONSORED ARTICLE
The furniture-free way to relocate to Germany
Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Top five reasons to enrol on an Executive MBA



Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Sweden

More news from Sweden at thelocal.se

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

843 jobs available
610 new jobs this week
25 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
  • German first feature film in Cannes
    A directorial debut from Germany makes it to the competition “Un Certain Regard” at the famous film festival on the Côte d’Azur.
  • Traveling Germany: Europa-Park
    Think theme parks:Roller coasters, colorful rides, entertainment, thrills. Think Germany: Europa-Park is the largest amusement park in the country, second in Europe only to Disneyland Paris.
  • Frankfurt – the digital hub
    The Internet hub in Frankfurt am Main is the largest in the world and places Germany in a leading position in the digital world.
  • The European Year of Citizens
    2013 is the European Year of Citizens. They‘re invited to contribute their ideas for the EU, and to discover more about their rights as EU citizens. An example: labour mobility.
  • Neuschwanstein Castle: In Photos
    Neuschwanstein is the most popular tourist attraction in Germany. And for good reason. King Ludwig II's castle looks like it fell out of a book of fairy tales.
News from DeutschlandOnline

Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
Little house in Spain
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Albatross Insurance
Professional and qualified consultancy on all insurance and finance matters in Germany, Telephone: +49 2163 571 1740, Email: bg@albatross-assurance.com
www.albatross-assurance.com
Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.