Under the Hammer
Karl Lagerfeld’s estate goes to auction this month. Tatler takes an exclusive look at the late fashion designer’s wardrobe
Karl Lagerfeld’s penchant for detail will be on full display this month as Sotheby’s sells the contents of the celebrated designer’s eight luxuriously furnished residences. Hundreds of pairs of fingerless gloves will be among the more than 1,000 lots presented at two online auctions. The first will take place until December 6, with the second running from December 6 to 16. There will also be live auctions in Monaco from December 3 to 5; Paris on December 14 and 15; and Cologne in March 2022.
Pierre Mothes, vicepresident of Sotheby’s France, believes most lots will exceed their estimates because of their connection to the German fashion designer. “Most estimates don’t take into account the power of memorabilia items—those linked with Karl Lagerfeld’s daily life.” In addition to Lagerfeld’s wardrobe—which includes an especially fabulous Chanel bathrobe as well as suit jackets by Dior, Saint Laurent, Comme des Garçons and Maison Margiela—exceptional furniture from the 20th and 21st centuries will be up for grabs, along with a superb selection of fine art and tableware.
Mothes predicts that it’ll be three of Lagerfeld’s prized Rolls-royces that will fetch the highest figures. He also has faith in a sculpture of Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette, by Joana Vasconcelos, which has an estimated value of US$5,900 to US$8,300. “It will surely be one of the most coveted items,” says Mothes. “These sales will pay tribute to the most productive and creative designer of his time.”