Karl Lagerfeld's archive auction reaches new heights at Sotheby’s For a grand total of 700,000 euros

Organized online by Sotheby’s from July 2 to 8, the auction of a selection of Karl Lagerfeld’s archives and personal effects shattered estimates.

From Fingerless Gloves to iPods

This unprecedented sale thrilled collectors worldwide, who fought over pieces steeped in history, with starting bids sometimes beginning at just one euro. In total, more than 1,000 sketches and 273 lots all found buyers, leaving absolutely nothing unsold.

Among the collection's centerpieces, buyers snapped up his signature fingerless gloves - inseparable from the designer's silhouette - as well as intimate portraits of himself and his famous four-legged companion, Choupette. The sale also featured fashion sketches never before revealed to the general public, alongside Karl Lagerfeld’s unusual iPod collection. These music players were filled with highly curated playlists, which served as the designer's working foundation to orchestrate the soundtracks of his grandiose runway shows alongside Michel Gaubert.

Angela Merkel Sends Bids Skyrocketing

While the fashion pieces were highly anticipated, it was a more political lot that created a general surprise and took the top spot. A caricature of Angela Merkel, the former German Chancellor sketched by Lagerfeld, soared to the tidy sum of 23,040 euros. A true record, given that the drawing was initially estimated between 200 and 400 euros - meaning the final price represents more than 57 times its starting estimate.

In the same vein, a portrait of Barack Obama also fueled passions, reaching over 5,300 euros. A total success that fulfills the expectations of both the American auction house and the legendary designer's heirs.

An Extraordinary Legacy

This marked the sixth sale dedicated to the German designer's personal belongings since his passing in 2019. For the occasion, Sotheby’s made sure to emphasize the rarity of this event and the absolutely unique journey of this icon: "Karl Lagerfeld occupies a singular place in the history of luxury: he was the only great designer of his era to remain, without being a shareholder or owner, at the artistic direction of a house as iconic as Chanel until his very last breath."

With this final dispersion, a page in fashion history turns, confirming that even several years after his death, the fascination with Karl Lagerfeld remains entirely intact.