When Karl Lagerfeld passed away in 2019, the world lost one of its fashion icons. Throughout his career he worked for several big fashion houses, but it was his work with Chanel that truly helped him make his mark. Recognised for his signature white hair, black sunglasses, fingerless gloves, and high-starched detachable collars, Lagerfeld was a presence to behold. But who was the man? Hulu takes a closer look into his life with their new series, Becoming Karl Lagerfeld.
SYNOPSIS: In 1972, Karl Lagerfeld (Daniel Brühl) is 38 and not yet wearing his iconic hairstyle. He is a ready-to-wear designer, unknown to the general public. While he meets and falls in love with the sultry Jacques de Bascher (Théodore Pellerin), an ambitious and troubling young dandy, the most mysterious of fashion designers dares to take on his friend (and rival) Yves Saint Laurent (Arnaud Valois), a genius of haute couture backed by the redoubtable businessman Pierre Bergé (Alex Lutz).
“Becoming Karl Lagerfeld” plunges us into the heart of the 70s, in Paris, Monaco and Rome, to follow the formidable blossoming of this complex and iconic personality of Parisian couture, already driven by the ambition to become the Emperor of fashion. Between glamour and clashes of egos, grandiose parties and destructive passions, discover the story of Karl before Lagerfeld.
The Hulu series is set to premiere all 6 episodes on June 6th, and it’s based on the adaptation of the bestseller “Kaiser Karl” by Raphaëlle Bacqué. The cast includes Daniel Brühl (Nothing New in the West, Captain America: Civil War, Rush, Inglourious Basterds), Théodore Pellerin (Continental Draft (South), Solo, Franklin, Beau is Afraid) and Arnaud Valois (120 BPM, Good Grief, The Girl on the Train, My Best Part, Spring Blossom).
The episode descriptions and trailer are below.
EPISODE 1 – The mercenary of prêt-à-porter
It is Spring in Paris, 1972. Karl Lagerfeld, a 38-year-old, unknown fashion designer, may walk the walk and talk the talk, but he has not managed to rise above the crowd — unlike his long-time friend, Yves Saint Laurent, the head of the most prestigious haute couture house around. His encounter with young dandy Jacques de Bascher gives Karl the courage to compete, starting with taking the reins of the fashion house Chloé.
EPISODE 2 – Do you have a style?
It is Autumn, 1973. After being asked by the legendary Marlene Dietrich to design a suit for her, Karl finally gets the perfect opportunity to prove his worth as a great designer. Meanwhile, Jacques is getting tired of being kept at a distance by Karl. In order to get his attention, he begins to flirt with the forbidden fruit: Yves Saint Laurent…
EPISODE 3 – In bed with Karl
It is Autumn, 1974. Jacques and Yves are in the throes of a scandalous affair right under Karl’s nose. When the police call him and Pierre to collect Jacques and Yves from the station, Karl has had enough. It’s time he shows the world what he’s made of. He goes head-to-head with the bosses at Chloé, demanding to be made partner, while pulling out all the stops for Jacques. But things get messy when Yves, trapped under Jacques’ spell, begins to lose his mind.
EPISODE 4 – Bad reputation
Yves’ disappearance pushes Pierre to declare war on Jacques and Karl. Jacques becomes a pariah of his social circle and Karl sees his career and reputation threatened by Pierre’s attacks. Karl fights back, seizing this opportunity to finally lay the rivalry with the Saint Laurent clan to rest. Meanwhile, Jacques flees to his family whom he hasn’t seen in three years.
EPISODE 5 – The wedding of the century
It is Spring, 1978. Four years after forcing Bergé to bury the hatchet, Karl is now a major designer, alongside Yves. He finds Jacques in Rome and enlists his help to prepare the most lavish wedding celebration for their friend Paloma Picasso, daughter of the famous painter. But Jacques is not interested in returning to Paris and its nest of vipers. In order to convince him, Karl puts him in charge of the Fendi sisters’ new ad campaign.
EPISODE 6 – Monaco?
It is Spring, 1981. Since his return to Paris, Jacques drowns his sorrows and parties with his friend Diane de Beauvau-Craon, a junky aristocrat with an explosive temper. Meanwhile, Karl feels threatened by the meteoric rise of the new, young designers of the ’80s. Karl faces a dilemma: Should he put his career aside and be there for Jacques, or continue his quest for dominance at the risk of losing him forever?
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