Karl Lagerfeld in Porcelain: POP KARL & ROCK KARL by Bosa
White ponytail, dark sunglasses, high collar, fingerless gloves: Karl Lagerfeld turned himself into a figure you could recognise from a hundred metres away. Small wonder, then, that two designers have turned him into porcelain sculptures – made by Bosa Ceramiche, one of Italy's most exciting ceramics workshops.
- KARL LAGERFELD x Bosa: two limited, handmade porcelain sculptures, presented at Salone del Mobile 2023 in Milan.
- POP KARL by Elena Salmistraro is colourful and playful, ROCK KARL by Nika Zupanc monochrome and elegant.
- Both 41 cm tall, finished with 24-carat gold and platinum paints.
- ROCK KARL is currently available at 4D OUTFITTERS.
Karl in porcelain: the collection
From 18 to 23 April 2023, KARL LAGERFELD and Bosa Ceramiche presented their joint collection at Salone del Mobile in Milan. It consists of two porcelain sculptures that pick up on Lagerfeld's unmistakable look – and retell it in two very different ways.
POP KARL: irony in colour
Milan-based designer Elena Salmistraro is known for her imaginative signature style. Her POP KARL celebrates Lagerfeld's wit and irony: vivid colours, strong contrasts, an almost comic-book texture. A wink in porcelain. POP KARL has since sold out at our store – you will find more porcelain objects by Bosa in our Bosa collection.
ROCK KARL: black, white and a touch of gold
Slovenian designer Nika Zupanc takes the opposite route. Her ROCK KARL shows the look in monochrome tones: black suit, white shirt, dark sunglasses. The accents come from a coloured porcelain pointed collar and fingerless gloves in a brushed gold tone. Each sculpture measures 41 cm in height and 18 cm in width.
In German, Lagerfeld's tall, stiff stand-up collar has a wonderfully macabre name: "Vatermörder" – literally "patricide". It is exactly this trademark that Nika Zupanc translated into porcelain for ROCK KARL.
Bosa: ceramics from the Veneto since 1976
It is no coincidence that the house of KARL LAGERFELD chose Bosa for this tribute. The workshop in Borso del Grappa, at the foot of Monte Grappa, has been shaping ceramics since 1976 – entirely by hand, piece by piece. Bosa works with designers such as Jaime Hayon and has even turned characters like Bugs Bunny in a tuxedo into porcelain. What all its objects have in common: they are recognisable, playful and uncompromising in their craftsmanship.
Why Karl Lagerfeld still fascinates
- The style icon: ponytail, sunglasses, collar, gloves – Lagerfeld designed his appearance as rigorously as a collection.
- The tireless one: for decades he shaped Chanel, Fendi and his own label KARL LAGERFELD.
- The all-rounder: he was a fashion designer, photographer, illustrator, publisher and passionate reader.
- The quick wit: sharp-tongued and to the point – his bons mots are still quoted today.
Curiosities about Karl Lagerfeld
What you probably didn't know
- The flexible birth year
For a long time Lagerfeld publicly gave 1938 as his year of birth, later 1935. A birth announcement, however, proves 10 September 1933 in Hamburg.
- Coat beats evening dress
In 1954 the young Lagerfeld won the coat category at the Woolmark competition in Paris. The prize for the best evening dress in the same competition went to a certain Yves Saint Laurent – their friendship later turned into rivalry.
- A library the size of a public library
His private library is said to have held around 300,000 books. In 1999 he even opened his own bookshop in Paris: 7L, named after its address on the Rue de Lille.
- Minus 42 kilos
In 2001 Lagerfeld lost 42 kilograms in 13 months. The diet behind it was later published as a book.
- A cat with a Twitter account
His Birman cat Choupette had a Twitter account authorised by Lagerfeld – and even her own accessories collection.
- Immortalised as a spider
In 2019 researchers named an Australian jumping spider after him: Jotus karllagerfeldi. Its black-and-white markings reminded them of his look.
Frequently asked questions
How big are the POP KARL and ROCK KARL sculptures?
Each sculpture is 41 cm tall and 18 cm wide. They were handmade by Bosa in the Veneto and finished with 24-carat gold and platinum paints.
Can I buy ROCK KARL at 4D OUTFITTERS?
Yes, ROCK KARL is currently available from us – online and in our boutique in Bregenz. POP KARL has unfortunately sold out.
Who designed the sculptures?
POP KARL was designed by Milan-based designer Elena Salmistraro, ROCK KARL by Slovenian designer Nika Zupanc. The collection was presented at Salone del Mobile 2023 in Milan.
Would you like to see ROCK KARL up close? Visit us at our boutique in Bregenz or write to us at service@4doutfitters.com. Find out more about our range of design, fragrance and jewellery in our article Shopping on Lake Constance.
Your 4D OUTFITTERS team, Bregenz
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