The world of fashion is celebrating with the premiere of the miniseries ‘Becoming Karl Lagerfeld’, which starting this Friday, June 7, invites us on a journey through the life and legacy of the iconic designer. Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away on February 19, 2019, left an indelible mark on the fashion industry, revitalizing houses such as Chanel, Fendi and Chloé. However, his personal life was always shrouded in a halo of mystery and discretion.
Although Lagerfeld was known for his unconditional love for his cat Choupettewho inherited a considerable part of his fortune of 150 million dollars, there were two men who marked his life in a significant way: Jacques de Bascher and Baptiste Giabiconi (34 years old).
Jacques de Bascher: a love story without physical contact
Jacques de Bascher was Karl Lagerfeld’s first great love. This French aristocrat, with his elegance and charisma, conquered the designer in a Paris nightclub in 1971. Their relationship, which lasted almost two decades, was unique in many ways. Despite the deep emotional connection, it never had a physical component. Lagerfeld described Jacques as a man of irresistible physical attractiveness, but claimed that their relationship was based on deep admiration and platonic love.
Their relationship was open, a dynamic that allowed them to explore their desires in different ways. Jacques, known for his active love life, had a brief but intense relationship with Yves Saint Laurent, which added more complexity to his love triangle.
In 1984, Jacques was diagnosed with AIDS and died on September 3, 1989. His ashes were divided, with Karl receiving half, fulfilling Jacques’ wish that his remains be mixed with Karl’s when he too passed away.
Baptiste Giabiconi: Lagerfeld’s ‘widower’
After Jacques’ death, it would be almost two decades before Karl Lagerfeld found Baptiste Giabiconia young model who met Karl at a photo shoot in June 2008. From that moment on, Baptiste became his muse and a constant figure in the designer’s life.
The relationship between Karl and Baptiste was described as filial and deeply loving, although without a romantic or sexual component. Baptiste accompanied Karl at all of his events and became a constant presence in his life. In the book he published after Lagerfeld’s death, Giabiconi recounted the depth of their bond, noting that their relationship had changed shortly before the designer’s death, when he moved to London without knowing that these would be Karl’s last months.
Baptiste Giabiconi and Karl Lafgerfeld
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Karl’s legacy
On February 19, 2019, the world lost one of the giants of fashion, but his legacy lives on. The ‘Becoming Karl Lagerfeld’ series promises to unravel the most unknown aspects of his life and celebrate his unrivaled contribution to fashion. With his departure, he not only left a void in the world of design, but also in the lives of those who knew him closely, especially in that of Baptiste Giabiconi, who despite having emancipated himself, will always carry with him the memory of his mentor. and friend.
Karl Lagerfeld was a man of contrasts, whose professional life was full of success and whose personal life, although discreet, was marked by deep and meaningful relationships. The story of his life is a testament to his complex personality and the way he lived his love and passion for fashion until his last day.
