Special pieces from Karl Lagerfeld’s estate in Monaco, Paris and Cologne are set to go up for auction for the first time since his death.
The auction in Monaco is set for Dec. 3, 4 and 5. The auction in Paris will be held on December 14 and 15, and the auction in Cologne will then be held on March 22.
“Sotheby’s is paying tribute to this genius of a designer with the sale of over 1000 lots from his residences in France and Monaco, presenting an anthology of his personal taste but also of his life and career,” the Sotheby’s website with information of the auction states. “Divided between Monaco, Paris and Cologne, the sales are in his image, multiple and surprising, telling the story of the couturier, the collector, the decorator and the photographer.”
Lagerfeld, who was Chanel’s creative force for over three decades, passed away in 2019 from complications of pancreatic cancer.
His “dear friend,” Lady Amanda Harlech gave Vogue Magazine a tour through his Parisian home, which is just one of five properties the designer owned.
In the tour, Harlech, described as a writer, creative consultant, muse, and close friend of Lagerfeld, showed some of the pieces from his collection, which consists of more than 1,000 items, including art pieces, his personal wardrobe, furniture and accessories.
“He put everything into [his home]. He really loved it,” Harlech said during the tour. “He called the house “a real version of himself. Karl created these spaces that made you feel like the best possible version of yourself.”
“He loved the idea that the house would be filled with friends. He’d have dinners here and everyone would spend the night,” she recalled, adding that Lagerfeld was a “brilliant host.”
One of the items Harlech highlighted was a Terzani chandelier, which hangs over a dining table. While unclear how much it will go for, an average piece from Terzani can cost up to $52,000.
“It’s like a couture dress, it’s astonishing,” she marveled.
Harlech then walks viewers through the sitting room, which she explained as the place for Lagerfeld to watch television.
“Karl loved to watch the news. When we would have dinner the news would be on all the time,” Harlech said. “He also liked to watch ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ being a champion ballroom dancer in his youth. He also really, really loved silent movies.”
In the room is a Bruno Paul couch, which will also be auctioned. The average cost runs $11,000.
Pierre Mothes, Sotheby’s senior director and head of the sale, previously told Galerie Magazine that the items in the auction are expected to range in price from $11 for Karl’s very own dishes of his beloved cat, Choupette, to $445,000 for his Rolls-Royce.
“It was his favorite vehicle, especially during spring and summer. He loved it as an open car,” Mothes said of the car.
Other items that will be auctioned include his portrait by Takashi Murakami to Tokidoki dolls, a Jeff Koons Balloon Venus and a Sue Et Mare piano.
All proceeds from the auction will go to his estate.