Interview - Karl Lagerfeld

Preparing the 38th edition of Pirelli Calendar 2011, called “Mythology”, eccentric Karl Lagerfeld has gone a step further than his predecessors… He designed all jewelry and accessories especially for the occasion, as there almost were no clothes on the models. The aim was to portray his favorite theme as closely as possible - the ancient mythology!

Much about this has already been said in the current issue of Vrele Gume magazine, and now you can read the interview with Karl Lagerfeld, given to the French writer, Frederic Beigbeder.

Beigbeder: What made you choose the theme of Greek and Roman mythology?
Lagerfeld: Because it’s my favourite religion: one god for every occasion. I’m a polytheist: all present-day religions are recent, but I prefer this mythology, which does without hell, without sin and without forgiveness. We need to return to the disciplined form of beauty of Antiquity. Simone Weil said that Jesus was a direct descendant of Prometheus – which caused a scandal at the time. I love the goddesses, because they were the first emancipated women. They had a right to everything. The female divinities and the Muses are feminists!

Beigbeder: When does your fascination with the myths of Antiquity date back to?
Lagerfeld: The first two books I read, when I was six, were Homer’s Iliad and the Nibelung. While the Germanic stories frightened me, Homer had a huge influence on me – it’s my educational source. What’s so brilliant about ancient paganism is that there are lots of gods, the spirits move around, and there are heroes, demigods, genii, and nymphs... Humans were much closer to the gods than they are in the monotheistic religions. In those days I had no idea that I myself would become a god!! (laughs)

Beigbeder: Yes, but watch out: the gods are only slightly improved mortals! (laughs) So is the aim of these photographs to set up a new religion?
Lagerfeld: Joking aside, the modernity of mythology is in its love of youth, in its cult of the body, and in its acceptance of desire, without divine punishment, as well as in its permanent tribute to Nature. There’s an ethics of beauty in Graeco-Roman civilisation that we’ve lost today.

Beigbeder: Before you were chosen by Pirelli for this 2011 edition, did you know about the Pirelli calendar?
Lagerfeld: Yes, especially the one by Avedon (1995), which I adored. It was erudite, but also sexy and simple.

Beigbeder: What does Pirelli mean to you?
Lagerfeld: It’s a tyre manufacturer that made an image for itself with these calendars – you can’t buy them, and this gives them an aura of mystery. It’s a form of viral marketing way ahead of its time. When they started, they made them for mechanics and truck drivers! But they soon became landmarks in the art world.

Beigbeder: Tell me about the three days of shooting. Where were you?
Lagerfeld: In my Paris studio, in Rue de Lille. I chose some friends for the shots – I only wanted women who felt at ease with me. I made a list of bodies I could show, as I refuse to undress anyone who doesn’t agree! And there are no under-age girls!!

Beigbeder: Why the black background?
Lagerfeld: I find it enhances the nude; it highlights the beauty of the body through contrast.

Beigbeder: Why black and white rather than colour?
Lagerfeld: A bit of black and white was refreshing, and it made a change from my illustrious predecessors, and in real life I’m a black-and-white person myself!

Beigbeder: Why does Julianne Moore play the part of Hera?
Lagerfeld: I really did want an actress for the wife of Zeus and for the mother of the Olympian gods. Julianne’s a beautiful woman. She’s a very dear friend. She knew she wouldn’t be running any risks with me – there wouldn’t be a parallel publication sold under the counter!

Beigbeder: Oh really? You mean there aren’t secret copies for private use?
Lagerfeld: Come on Frédéric! That’s no longer part of mythology. Look at antique statues: they’re never smutty – except in Pompeii.

Beigbeder: Would you have liked to live in Antiquity?
Lagerfeld: Immortality and a perfect physique? Who wouldn’t?!