Exhibitors Spotlight: Karl Lagerfeld

Exhibitors Spotlight:
Karl Lagerfeld

Editorial

Edition 100

02.08.2021

A look into the world of the KARL LAGERFELD brand

Exhibitors Spotlight focuses on a selection of brands exhibiting at this year's Pitti Uomo, showcasing their upcoming collections and special upcoming projects.

The house of KARL LAGERFELD was created in the vision of its iconic and eponymous founder. As a brand, it maintains Lagerfeld’s tailored Parisian classics meets rock-chic aesthetic while constantly keeping an eye on contemporary and future designs. In the hands of Hun Kim and Carine Roitfeld, two of Lagerfeld’s collaborators and leaders of the brand’s creative direction, the clothes maintain his essential vision with a constant breath of new energy and vitality. Always, of course, hinging on his enduring mantra: “Embrace the present and invent the future.”

Who better represents the KARL LAGERFELD brand than Sebastien Jondeau who was Karl’s personal assistant for over 20 years. The pair met in the early ‘90s and cultivated a close friendship that spanned decades. In recent years, Jondeau has become a brand ambassador for KARL LAGERFELD men. We talked to Jondeau about ideal summer wardrobes, what makes a great vacation look, and, of course, Karl Lagerfeld.

What is your ideal summer wardrobe?

In the summer, I have four staple looks. My day-to-day look on vacation is very casual — I’m always wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and flip-flops so it’s easy for me to quickly undress on the beach to go swimming or surfing. In the evening, my look is more sophisticated but still comfortable to go out with friends. I usually wear a dark tuxedo jacket, denim pants, and sneakers. Another key summer look for me is my sports look, I always need good training shorts and T-shirts to train in every day. And last but not least, my fourth summer look is my bathing suit, as I spend most of my summer days at the beach, I literally wear my bathing suit all the time.

Speaking of the beach, what are your favorite summer activities?

I’m very active on vacation and I do a lot of different activities throughout the day. I’m a morning person so I wake up very early and my day starts with running or cycling. Then, I love to meet with my friends for lunch at the beach. In the afternoon, I do water sports in the sea. I especially love Esurfing. In fact, we just launched an electronic surfboard I designed with the KL team, KARL LAGERFED X ESURF. I always finish my day with a boxing session with the sunset in the background. At night, I love going to the St Tropez VIP Room, this is my favorite club and my friends and I have the best memories there.

Could you share some of your most beloved summer memories?

My favorite summer memories are in Saint Tropez with Karl, of course. I went there with him for fifteen years. He made me discover this beautiful village and ever since it has become my dream place to spend my summer vacation. Karl and I used to have dinner together every night and after dinner, we loved to have a drink at the iconic Sénéquier café. I will always cherish those moments, just the two of us. Karl was relaxed, I was relaxed, we talked about everything for hours. It’s what I miss the most about Karl.