One of my favorite fashion icons, the larger than life Karl Lagerfeld has released a new book entitled Metamorphoses of an American. The book features five years worth of photos of model Brad Kroenig (born in 1979) that were shot by Lagerfeld himself. Metamorphoses "traces the physical and emotional development of Brad Kroenig : the world's most sought-after male model."
Maureen Orth Vanity Fair shared this insight about the Lagerfeld/Kroenig relationship:
"'Have you met Brad?' Lagerfeld asked. Brad Kroenig, a top male mode who, at 6 foot 1, looks vaguely like Matthew McConaughey, was sparkling in the same silver sequined jacket he'd worn to the Met Costume gala the night before. He and Lagerfeld attended New York's 'party of the year' together, and they had just arrived in Paris the afternoon I saw them, none the worse for wear. Kroenig, an easy-going 29-year-old with the uncanny ability to transform himself to look like everyone from James Dean to Errol Flynn, is the American whose 'metamorphoses' Lagerfeld has been documenting for the past five years. 'I thought it would be interesting to follow the physical evolution of someone,' the designer told me in his rapid-fire German accent. 'Without him knowing it, he has an unbelievable range. It's a kind of gift. He knows nothing about these things. It's fun for somebody to skate on these images and interpretations without being an actorâ€"the characters, the situations, the attitudes, while at the same time to stay a completely modern all-American.'"
Fashion Icon Books
Karl Lagerfeld's Metamorphoses of an American
Trend Themes
1. Fashion Icon Books - Opportunity for fashion brands to release books that showcase the work and evolution of fashion icons, creating a new revenue stream and strengthening brand identity.
2. Personal Transformation Stories - Growing trend of documenting the physical and emotional development of individuals, providing inspiration and motivation for personal growth and self-improvement.
3. Collaborative Artistic Projects - Emerging trend of fashion designers and models collaborating on long-term projects, creating unique and dynamic artistic expressions that blur the lines between fashion and art.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Publishing - Opportunity for publishers to tap into the demand for fashion-related books and produce visually captivating publications that highlight the work of fashion icons and influencers.
2. Personal Development - Opportunity in the personal development industry to capture the public's interest in stories of personal transformation and create products and services that aid individuals in their own self-improvement journeys.
3. Fashion Design and Modeling - Innovative opportunities for fashion designers and models to collaborate on artistic projects that push boundaries, challenge conventional norms, and create unique fashion experiences.