KARL

Synopsis

KARL is an intimate and visually rich portrait of one of fashion’s most enigmatic and transformative figures — Karl Lagerfeld. Spanning four decades of groundbreaking influence, the film charts Lagerfeld’s rise from outsider to global icon, revealing how he revolutionized the world’s most storied fashion houses — Chanel, Fendi, and Chloé — and redefined the role of the designer in modern culture.

Told with unprecedented access to Lagerfeld’s personal archives, the inner workings of the houses he led, and the voices of those closest to him, KARL unveils the complex man behind the iconic silhouette. Known for his powdered ponytail, high-collared shirts, and signature sunglasses, Lagerfeld crafted not only a brand but a myth — one built equally on brilliance, control, and mystery.

Beyond the glamour and innovation, the film explores Lagerfeld’s relentless ambition, his sharp wit, his emotional solitude, and the tragic love that shaped much of his private world. Adapted from William Middleton’s definitive biography Paradise Now, KARL peels back the facade to uncover the heart, mind, and contradictions of a man who saw fashion as a battlefield — and fought to win.

Featuring Lily Rose Depp, Tom Ford, Tilda Swinton, Penelope Cruz and many more close friends of Karl

Crew

• Director Nick Hooker
• Producer Julia Nottingham
• Producer Susan Hootstein
• Editor Anna Price
• Producer William Middleton
• Executive Producer Natalie Von Hurter
• Executive Producer Graydon Carter
• Executive Producer Annabelle Dunne
• Original Music by Johnny Jewel
• Director of Photography Shane Sigler