Debut of the Becoming Karl Lagerfeld series in Paris

The debut of the series 'Becoming Karl Lagerfeld' took place in Paris' Rex cinema on Tuesday evening. This is the first comprehensive show about the celebrated fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld. Among the audience were many Chanel personnel and numerous Lagerfeld collaborators. Since Lagerfeld has already been featured in numerous documentaries, this Disney-produced series marks a new and significant portrayal of this German-born fashion icon. The real stand-out performance in 'Becoming Karl Lagerfeld' comes from Hispano-German actor Daniel Brühl. His portrayal of Lagerfeld is far more realistic than those in the two 2014 biopics about Yves Saint Laurent.

Brühl is well known for his roles in Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds and Rush, in which he plays Formula One champion, Niki Lauda. In 'Becoming Karl Lagerfeld', Brühl adeptly captures Lagerfeld’s energetic, determined and strategic persona. The first two episodes shine a light on Lagerfeld's life before becoming the artistic director of Chanel. We see him as a freelance designer, frequently cruising through Paris in his signature blue Rolls Royce, delivering sketches to a range of clients from Chloé to to an underwear label.

The story also delves into the well-known rivalry between Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent. Both shot to fame in November 1954 when Lagerfeld won an International Wool Secretariat design prize for a coat and Saint Laurent for a dress. Initially friends, their relationship soured as Saint Laurent’s success outpaced that of Lagerfeld. Of particular note is the 1972 incident when Saint Laurent fails to personally invite Lagerfeld to his 10th-anniversary show, leading to Lagerfeld feeling slighted. This, combined with an affair between Saint Laurent and Lagerfeld's love interest, Jacques de Bascher, escalated tensions between the two.

In the meantime, Lagerfeld witnessed his reputation skyrocket in the 70s, with his innovative designs for Chloé, catapulting him to a new level of influence and allowing him to live a luxurious lifestyle. The show splendidly recreates the aesthetic of the era and recreates the debut Chloé and Saint Laurent runway shows. Furthermore, it touches upon Lagerfeld's dismissal of Chanel as 'dead’ and 'old-fashioned' at a dramatic dinner scene, leading to his eventual entry into the house of Chanel.

In sum, 'Becoming Karl Lagerfeld' stylishly encapsulates Lagerfeld's one-of-a-kind genius and journey in the fashion world, despite not entirely capturing his patented wit. The series will be aired on French television screens from June 7 onwards.