The life and legend of Karl Lagerfeld is coming to the small screen. Chanel and Fendi‘s late creative director, who passed away in 2019, is the subject of an upcoming miniseries.
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Lagerfeld’s prolific career spanned over six decades, including the founding of his own eponymous label. The German designer is credited with raising Chanel’s profile after the brand suffered financially in the 1970s.
Below, everything WWD knows about “Becoming Karl Lagerfeld.”
What is “Becoming Karl Lagerfeld” about?
The six-episode series charts Lagerfeld’s rise to fame in the 1970s, as well as his rivalry with fellow couturier Yves Saint Laurent. Lagerfeld’s romance with French socialite Jacques de Bascher, who would briefly become a lover of Saint Laurent’s, will also be explored.
“Becoming Karl Lagerfeld” is based on Raphaëlle Bacqué’s biography “Kaiser Karl,” which was published in 2020.
Filming took place in France, Monaco and Italy, and the production will feature an estimated 3,000 costumes, according to a WWD report from 2023.
Who’s in the cast?
Daniel Brühl, who is best known for his roles in “Inglourious Basterds” and “Captain America: Civil War,” will portray Lagerfeld. Brühl costars with Arnaud Valois, who plays Saint Laurent, while Théodore Pellerin takes on the role of de Bascher.
Other supporting cast members include Alex Lutz as Pierre Bergé — the French businessman who cofounded Saint Laurent’s eponymous label — and Rouje designer Jeanne Demas as Paloma Picasso, daughter of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso.
French screenwriter, director and singer Agnès Jaoui portrays Gaby Aghion, who hired Lagerfeld as creative director of Chloé. “Triangle of Sadness” star Sunnyi Melles has been cast as Marlene Dietrich, and American actor Paul Spera will tackle Andy Warhol.
When does it premiere?
“Becoming Karl Lagerfeld” debuts on Hulu on June 7. In the United Kingdom, the miniseries will air on Disney+.
Are there any trailers?
Hulu released its first teaser trailer for “Becoming Karl Lagerfeld” last week.