Karl Lagerfeld Would Rather Hide Than See Your Selfie

Self-proclaimed “fashion vampire” Karl Lagerfeld is a man who wears many hats. He’s the creative director of both Chanel and Fendi as well as his own eponymous label, and one of the most iconic influencers in the industry. And though he’s been a key authority in the fashion world for decades, he only seems to be getting cooler with age — as evidenced by last night’s rendezvous on the Hudson River where Lagerfeld surrounded himself with models Gigi and Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Cara Delevingne as well as celebs including Alexa Chung and Katy Perry on a #CruiseWithKarl. But though he may gallivant with the Instagirls, he’s not down for all those selfies.

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The German designer, who is currently in New York to present Chanel’s Paris-Salzburg collection Tuesday evening at the Park Avenue Armory, opened up to The Cut on Tuesday about his inspirations, his process and his “miracle” — Siamese cat Choupette. Here are the seven most important things we learned from the intriguing interview.

1. He’s a fashion vampire: 

“I’m a fashion vampire. I take what I need and I leave the rest.” 

2. Despite his jet-setting job, he hates to travel: 

“Traveling, I think it’s a nightmare today. The airports and things the people in the street with the selfies … I like to stay at home and read.”

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3. The affection between Lagerfeld and Choupette is mutual: 

“I do everything from my room in the Mercer, working at my desk on things with Choupette keeping me company — I don’t force her, by the way. She comes naturally.”

4. He might just be a machine: 

“I see things in the middle of the night. I draw them on paper and I don’t even think about it. I’m like a machine in a way — just made of some electronic stuff. Vaguely digital.” 

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5. His mother inspired his brilliant fashion philosophy: 

“She used to say, ‘You look like me but not as good.’ And this is just the kind of line I use.”

6. Choupette made €3 million last year: 

“She did two jobs and made 3 million euros last year. One was for cars in Germany and the other was for a Japanese beauty product. I don’t allow her to do foodstuffs and things like this. She’s too sophisticated for that.” 

7. Choupette lives a better life than you: 

“She stays always with me and she has two personal maids. They play with her, they have to take care of her beautiful white hair, the beauty treatments for her eyes, and they entertain her. She is the center of the world. If you saw her, you would understand.”