Karl Lagerfeld has been a fashion Icon for decades. His significance to the industry cannot be underestimated. He’s been the lead designer or creative director behind some of the world’s leading brands such as Chanel, Fendi, Chloe and H&M. Even if you don’t know his work his signature black suit, black tie, black shades, and shocking white hair can’t be missed.
Unbeknownst to me, in addition to his work as a designer, Lagerfeld has dabbled in photography becoming a prize winning photography. His work was recently on display at the Daelim Gallery of Jongno in Seoul. His focus leans toward the human form, architectural, and portraits, as well as editorial and fashion photography.
As expected his fashion related work stands out. Most of the exhibit, however, devotes the space to his more artistic endeavors. Highlights include dozens of portraits of a single male model evoking the various looks of American masculinity through the decades. Another focuses upon embodying the models with the essence of the Greek gods. The lone black model in the entire exhibit takes on the role of Hades. I think I could have done without that token bit of diversity.
On the whole Lagerfeld has a deft eye for expressing sexuality without being crass and instead depicting the human body in an almost sublime rapturous state.
