In 1972, 38-year-old Karl Lagerfeld aspired to become the most famous French fashion designer, at a time when Yves Saint Laurent reigned supreme. The new Kaiser Karl series will chart his rise in the Parisian fashion world of the 1970s.
Illustration photo: Disney+ is preparing the Kaiser Karl series
Disney+ today unveiled the star-studded cast of its original series “Kaiser Karl,” which chronicles the rise of Karl Lagerfeld in the world of Parisian haute couture in the 1970s. In 1972, 38-year-old Karl Lagerfeld aspired to become the most famous French fashion designer, at a time when Yves Saint Laurent reigned supreme.
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The name Lagerfeld enhances the reputation of Paris
After meeting and falling in love with Jacques de Bascher, a young dandy, he finds himself in competition with Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, head of the most prestigious fashion brand around. This is the story of Kaiser Karl and his frantic search for recognition, full of clan rivalries and ego battles, partying and decadence, tragic love affairs and magnificent friendships.
For the first time, the series will lift the veil on the extremely enigmatic fashion designer, who has nevertheless become one of the most prominent figures in the industry. Referred to by the American press as “Kaiser Karl”, the name Lagerfeld continues to enhance the reputation of Paris as the fashion capital of the world.
The six-part series will have hround-the-clock cast
The six-part series will feature an all-star cast that includes Daniel Brühl (“Silence on the Western Front,” “Captain America: Civil War,” “Rush,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “Good Bye Lenin!”) as Lagerfeld. ; Théodore Pellerin (“Continental Drift (South)”, “Underground”, “Watchdog”, “It’s Only the End of the World”) as Jacques de Bascher; Arnaud Valois (2018 Lumières Most Promising Actor Winner – “BPM”, “The Girl on the Train”, “My Best Part”, “Spring Flower”) as Yves Saint Laurent; Alex Lutz (César Award for Best Actor in 2019, Molière Award for Best Standup in 2016 and 2020 – “Vortex”, “Guy”, “Une comédie romantique”, “Baron Noir”) as Pierre Bergé; and Agnès Jaoui (César Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1998, 2001 and 2016 – “Singing Jailbirds”, French version of “In Treatment”, “The Sweet Escape”, “The Taste of Others”) as Gaby Aghion, the founder of the Chloé brand, which helped elevate Lagerfeld.
Pauline Dauvin, Vice President of Programming and Production, Disney+ France, is delighted to announce this new collaboration between Disney+, Gaumont and Jour Premier. The combination of outstanding talent will result in a unique viewing experience for the platform’s subscribers. Director Jérôme Salle (“Kompromat”, “Totems”, “The Odyssey”, “Zulu”) will be the artistic brain of the series. Isabelle Degeorges, who will executive produce for Gaumont, and Arnaud de Crémiers, executive producer for Jour Premier, are thrilled to be working with him again. They bring together a team of renowned actors and technicians to deliver a premium production. Jérôme Salle will direct episodes one, two and six; Audrey Estrougo (upcoming Disney+ Original series “Tout va bien,” “Authentik,” “Héroïnes”) will direct the other three.
“Kaiser Karl” features some of the biggest stars and media personalities of the era, from Marlene Dietrich (Sunnyi Melles, who recently starred in “Triangle of Sorrow,” winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival) to Paloma. Picasso (Jeanne Damas, seen in the movie “Sincerity”), Loulou de la Falaise (Claire Laffut, acclaimed Belgian singer and artist) and Andy Warhol (Paul Spera, seen in the movies “Something in the Air,” “The White Soldier,” and ” SK1″).
Féodor Atkine (Antony de Bascher), Caroline Archambault (Armelle de Bascher), Victoire Du Bois (Anne de Bascher), Lisa Kreuzer (Elisabeth Lagerfeld), Anouk Féral (Rosemarie Le Gallais), Mehdi Kerkouche (Juan Ramos), Julia Faure ( The cast is completed by Francine Crescent) and Clara Bretheau (Diane de Beauvau-Craon).
“Kaiser Karl” will feature more than 2,200 accessories, more than 40 different sets and approximately 3,000 costumes, 160 of which will be created completely from scratch.
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In order to conjure up the Parisian atmosphere of the glamorous 70s of the last century, the artistic team of cinematographers Mélodie Preel (French version of “In Treatment”) and Mahdi Lepart (“L’Absente”, “Grown Ups”) combines with costumes that are indispensable. aspect of this series – by Pascaline Chavanne (eleven César nominations for Best Costume and two wins for “Renoir” in 2013 and “An Officer and a Spy” in 2019 and two Magritte Award nominations and a win in the Best Costume category for “The Lady in cars with glasses and a gun” in 2016), hair by Sébastien Quinet (“The French Dispatch”, “Marie-Antoinette”).
