In the heart of Paris, 1972, the fashion world was a canvas waiting for a
master's brush. "Becoming Karl Lagerfeld" takes us on a journey through the life
of a man who would become an icon, starting with a glimpse into the vibrant
nightlife where our story unfolds.
Jacques de Bascher, a Parisian socialite with an openly gay identity, is the first to cross paths with Karl Lagerfeld, not in the hallowed halls of fashion but in the pulsating rhythm of the city's nightclubs. Karl, at this point, is a freelance ready-to-wear designer, toiling in relative obscurity for around 20 brands, yet harboring dreams of grandeur.
The narrative begins with Jacques' infatuation, sparked by a mere sighting of Karl in the dimly lit club. Karl, however, is preoccupied with his own aspirations, working for Chloé and yearning for the recognition that seems to elude him as he watches others rise to fame.
Amidst the glitz and glamour of the fashion elite, Jacques pens a letter to Karl, an act of boldness that would set the wheels of fate in motion. Karl, living with his mother, receives the letter and an invitation to Yves Saint Laurent’s show. The impersonal invite stings, interpreted as a slight against his burgeoning talent.
Jacques' persistence eventually lands him an audience with Karl, albeit under the pretense of curiosity rather than desire. Yet, this encounter is enough for Karl to add Jacques to his eclectic circle of muses, each one a spark of inspiration for the designer's creative flame.
Karl's ambition takes center stage as he maneuvers to be appointed the artistic director of Chloé, a move that would elevate him from the shadows to the spotlight. His determination is clear when he declares, "I don’t want to continue watching others live the life I want."
The story weaves through the corridors of high fashion and the intimate spaces of Karl's life, including a humorous encounter with his mother who sizes up Jacques with a sharp, German-tinted wit.
As Karl prepares for his own fashion show, the narrative captures the tension and excitement of an artist on the cusp of greatness. Jacques, now an integral part of Karl's world, is tasked with keeping an eye on Francine Crescent, the "French fashion priestess" and a gatekeeper to critical acclaim.
The unconventional show is a testament to Karl's vision, a spectacle that breaks the mold of traditional runway presentations. His instructions to the models are a breath of fresh air in a world too often bound by rigidity: "It’s about being free. Modernity on the catwalk, understand? You’re allowed to have fun, okay? Do whatever you want."
Despite a minor mishap with losing track of Crescent at the afterparty, Jacques reassures Karl with a prophecy of his future success, "One day, you’ll be the greatest designer in the world."
"Becoming Karl Lagerfeld" is more than a biographical drama; it's a love story, a tale of ambition, and a journey into the soul of a man who would change the face of fashion forever. As the first episode draws to a close, we are left with a glimpse of the man behind the myth, a portrait of Karl Lagerfeld as he was in the moments before he became a legend.