Lagerfeld features creative energy in photos

By Do Je-hae

Karl Lagerfeld is best known as the iconic creative director for some of the world's most famous fashion houses such as Chanel and Fendi.

He is also a photographer with sensitivity and innovative vision, a talented painter and a designer not just in fashion but for all kinds of products, whether it be a new Coca-Cola bottle or a fountain pen.

At the moment, it is Lagerfeld the photographer that is capturing the attention of local fans, as a photo exhibition of his is currently being held in the nation's capital for the first time.

The Daelim Contemporary Art Museum in central Seoul is holding a showcase of his

own photography through March 18, 2012. Lagerfeld is a professional photographer who has staged exhibitions worldwide since 1987.

"Besides being one of the world's top fashion designers, Lagerfeld is an undisputed 'multi-creator,' who has been passionately involved in various fields, including photography and publishing," Kwon Min-jung, a curator at the museum said.

"This will be a rare opportunity for the visitors to get to know in depth Lagerfeld's art world and rediscover the cultural value of his creations."

One unique feature at the Seoul exhibition is a wall filled with Lagerfeld's famous quotes on his three passions ― fashion, books and photography.

"What I like about photography is that they capture a moment that's gone forever, impossible to reproduce," Lagerfeld said.

Ahead of the exhibition which started in late October, the museum's curators held an interview with the Hamburg native at his summer villa in St. Tropez, France, where he expressed a fascination with "traditional Korean clothes."

"I don't know much about Korean culture, but what I do know, I know from books," he said. His St. Tropez home is filled with more than 300,000 books.

He also mentioned that he has a Korean assistant, whom he is very pleased to work with.

'Work In Progress'

The photo exhibition is entitled "Work In Progress.” Organized by "Maison Europeanne de la Photographie," the exhibition was previously staged in Paris, Rome and Shanghai.

The title "Work In Progress" reflects Lagerfeld's philosophy that all work should move forward, constantly targeting improvement.

The entire photo collection is essentially a retrospective of his years of challenges in fashion.

It consists of 400 photos, including those from the beginning of his photography career in 1987 up to those taken just a few weeks ago.

The Daelim Contemporary Art Museum is made up of four floors and the entire museum is currently showing Lagerfeld's work.

On the first and second floor are new photos of Chanel and Fendi pieces and photos of his latest muses, such as Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi.

There are also shots of captivating scenery and architecture that have special meaning for him, like a series of photos of New York buildings on the third floor. On the fourth floor, a short film by Lagerfeld is being screened. His photos use a wide range of shooting and printing techniques.

Docents are available on each floor for further explanations of the exhibits. Visitors can also purchase calendars and other souvenirs with prints of Lagerfeld's photos and try the camera Lagerfeld used to shoot some of the latest fashion snaps for Chanel.

Change, fashion, photos

After a complete tour of "Work In Progress," including the wall of quotes and a video of his St. Tropez interview, one might be able to get a glimpse of what motivates Lagerfeld's diverse artistic endeavors.

His photos and fashion designs express one thing in common, a penchant for change that has pushed him toward fresh, innovative ideas.

Two of Lagerfeld's most famous quotes are: "I am a fashion person. Fashion is not only about clothes. It's about all kinds of change,” and “Change is the healthiest way for survival."

In an attempt to blur the line between high and low fashion, Lagerfeld collaborated with Swedish high-street giant H&M in 2004. In August, he introduced a 45-piece collection for U.S. department store Macy's, priced from $50 to $170.

At 74, he is more than twice the age of most creative directors, but he continues to reign as one of the most powerful men in fashion. Lagerfeld is the predecessor of Tom Ford at Gucci, John Galliano at Dior and Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton. Critics raved about his latest Chanel collection in Paris, calling it his finest to date.

Unlike many creative fashion directors who often rise and fall, how has Lagerfeld been able to maintain such longevity?

He retains, above all, a firm belief that "youthfulness is about how you live not when you were born."

Besides this passion for life, what else propels the modern-day symbol of Chanel to do so many things at once?

This is the answer he gave to CNN during a recent interview.

"I have an Alzheimer’s for my own work. I do that on purpose and I think it's a very good thing. Today, too many people remember what they did. Forget it all, start again."

For more information on Lagerfeld's photo exhibition, visit www.daelimmuseum.org or call 02-720-0667.