Karl Lagerfeld: A Fashion Journal
Reference Cultural History Young Adult Non-Fiction Art & Culture Design Fashion Costume
Karl Lagerfeld: A Fashion Journal is the 1986 first-edition hardcover that captures the enigmatic designer at the height of his 1980s creative powers. Created by legendary Italian fashion writer Anna Piaggi, this vintage volume functions as both visual diary and cultural time-capsule: page after page of never-before-published sketches, candid backstage photographs, and Piaggi’s razor-sharp commentary trace Lagerfeld’s evolution from freelance prodigy to Chanel’s revolutionary couturier. The result is a front-row seat to the moment when runway shows became theatrical spectacles and fashion morphed into global pop culture.
What makes this copy collectible is its pristine, un-dog-eared interior—rare for a 38-year-old art book that was often thumbed through for inspiration. The crisp, oversized plates reproduce Lagerfeld’s ink drawings and fabric swatches in true-to-life color, while Piaggi’s bilingual captions decode the historical references that fueled his collections. Fashion students still prize the title as a reference text; illustration aficionados study the loose, confident line work that predates today’s digital renderings.
A discreet gift inscription on the front flyleaf adds a personal touch without distracting from the artwork, and the sturdy binding ensures the book lies flat for sketching or display. Dust-jacket edge wear is commensurate with age and only enhances the vintage appeal. For collectors, designers, or anyone hunting a unique slice of 1980s fashion history, this first printing delivers Lagerfeld’s genius in its purest, pre-owned but well-preserved form.
Refer to our eBay listing for a full condition report and many more high-quality pictures of this item.
Buy Now