Karl Lagerfeld: My childhood was very simple | CNBC Conversation

While talking about fame, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld takes a look back at his upbringing and how all he wanted to do was to be a grown up.
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[@christophernettles2468]

"I go between cities...Because I have a plane."

[@christophernettles2468]

whoops I forgot the e, touch of salinity, thanks for letting me know. :D

[@dillonroulet6553]

0:34 It's in his contract

[@rofaidamezouaghi1840]

Christopher Nettles life goals

[@jorgejorge9342]

ENVY

[@MrSebboxxx]

... so do I but I have no plane ...

[@annawhite3585]

This is a highly intelligent man, confident in who he is.

[@kristinesmart24]

I wish I had one oz. of his confidence & sense of self. Wow! R.I.P. Karl L. A day after my birthday.😪2-19-2019

[@meriamtonkaboni6798]

Belated happy Birthday Kristine

[@isatello2000]

Was. He died a week ago.

[@NNAATTYY1974]

Anna white I'm french, his french interviews are awesome. He was funny and smart, elegant without being pretentious. I guess I need to translate them in english so people will see how educated he was.

[@sshowgirl933]

@@NNAATTYY1974 YES HE WAS SMART AND CRUEL SOMETIMES AND FUNNY

[@mdaddy775]

it's rare to see a guest interrupt the interviewer! it's usually the opposite. he's one of a kind!

[@karolinakubiak3262]

Love him!

[@sookwilson1077]

He's largefeld ! He Can Do Whatever

[@carmenneumann9479]

V e r y old school german attitude

[@SumeyyaOcalHeyBigSpenderr]

yep

[@fidelitypicturescom]

why?

[@jonaswunderkind4580]

@@fidelitypicturescom Why??

[@MrSebboxxx]

old school is the new new school ...

[@katjaxxx7353]

he is so down to earth love him

[@thaleis]

Elizabeth Lagerfeld was a very strict and upper grounded woman. Karl’s father was 52 years old when his son was born and his mother was much younger than her husband. Karl’s father was the CEO of industrial milk factories and a very busy man during the WW2... He delegated the children education to his wife. Elizabeth and her 3 kids used to live in their mansion in the Germany countryside and the people who used to know the Lagerfeld family during this time all tell how they looked like in a time lapse there... probably due to her own isolation Mrs Lagerfeld was a poorly affectionate woman who didn’t kiss or hug her children but was prompt to encourage every special talent in her kids. When Karl was 6, he would learn piano but was told he should better drawing because music was too much noisy. When he was interested in read some French books she told him to learn the language. When Karl was mocked by one of his teachers at school because he had long hair tied in a ponytail, she met with the said teacher and pulled his tie before throwing it in the face and screaming “you still a nazi obviously !”... she was eager to defend her son. She was also the first person he asked what was homosexuality and she answered it was something as normal as to be blonde haired or left handed... After his father died, Karl settled his mother in a castle in the French Brittany and take care of her until her own death. At least every little cracks in their relationship was ultimately useful for KL. He said once he never has been interested in family connections or to build his own family and he was perfectly ok with that because he was only devoted to his work as a creative manager for all the brands he worked for.

[@andyd568]

RIP Mr. Lagerfeld. A creative and linguistic genius.

[@jbrunsj]

Why linguistic?

[@london2580]

He speaks German & French PERFECTLY. Usually very fast, with rich vocabulary. Furthermore he speaks English and Italian.

[@denysivanov3364]

@@london2580 germans like to speak fast :)

[@komasaeufer]

@@london2580 He makes a couple of mistakes in german. For example he says "wie" instead of "als" all the time whenever only "als" is correct. It's strange, because he's obviously german and extremely intelligent.

[@angryjohnson]

I worked in one of Karl Lagerfeld’s 11 stores in America. Wonderful clothes and a great team. Grateful to have been a part of and grateful to have worked for Karl.

[@angryjohnson]

Rest easy Icon

[@deepblue64]

He is somehow strange and perfectly right at the same time. What an impressive personality. Go Karl !

[@iliyawho5516]

a lot of successful parents do this thing that they would refuse to say anything about their children's success thinking that it would undermine talent. this can be true at some point but honestly we are all children at hearts and we all want our parents' validation at some point.

[@ricofernandez18]

If you get their love you don't need their validation

[@stevienicks9210]

Yeah...i think Karl has a good heart :(

[@sharonozvenom]

What an unique genius. There will never be another Karl.

[@Trip4man]

Very raw, very direct man. Doesn't beat around the bush. I get him. He may come of as an anti-social or a blunt person but when you meet a lotttttt of people... You start to hear the same questions and conversations over and over and over again. It gets really boring! Could you hear the same song everyday and still have the same patience?? The only thing I don't agree with Karl is about fur. There's other ways to be classy or fashionable without the need to kill animals for display or comfort... Eating that's for a biological necessity and that's different from vanity or fashion.

[@SRBOMBONICA86]

What about tribes in siberia ,they wear it when it's very cold 🥶

[@Trip4man]

@@SRBOMBONICA86 what's your point? you didn't read what I wrote?? wearing fur for necessity is a different thing of wearing for fashion purposes. In the modern world you don't need to kill animals for warm clothes

[@SRBOMBONICA86]

@@Trip4man fashion is supposed to represent every part of the world

[@dripkingwavelord987]

@@SRBOMBONICA86 no, fashion is not about anything else thab expression through clothing

[@MYAlbusSKB]

Omg I just realized this is a 4 year old discussion you guys have been having. 😂

[@MrTommy2905]

Probably one of the most interesting persons in the Western World.

[@TheChannelofaDisappointedMan]

I'm not someone who knows anything about fashion, but for all that I find Karl Lagerfeld absolutely fascinating.

[@ChristineMadisonLuxeGroup]

KL is an old soul for sure

[@rosesavoy9035]

I love how straightforward he is. Not an easy person to interview to begin with. I loved he completely interrupted her at the beginning!

[@dishappywithlife2556]

His childhood did not sound fantastic: “I hate being a child, and I did not have any friends.” Oh but your Mom must of been proud of you? “No, she said nothing and didn’t wear my dresses.” Simple childhood my butt....sounds awful 😬

[@janethockey9070]

I had no friends. You do whatever you want

[@agfagaevart]

@@janethockey9070 friends are over-rated. don't worry.

[@jennifergottliebel-azhari149]

It's not awful. He was an artist from day 1 and was happy with his sketchbooks

[@Candyprincess971]

In another interview he said his mother was meaner than him and traumatized his sisters he was the only one who did fine and didn’t need therapy.

[@jennifergottliebel-azhari149]

She doesn't sound like mother of the year not to attend her son's fashion shows...

[@stevienicks9210]

Wow...i'm in awe of this man! So authenthic and raw and direct! Legend,one of a kind

[@dansugarlone2694]

I like when he says ""from another area" rather than "another era",it makes him a human.

[@9gemini]

Highly intelligent and wise man to handle the question about burqa so smoothly. RIP

[@estrellas.4418]

R.I.P. Karl Lagerfeld. You've lived a very inspirational life for many of us! 🙏💖

[@valeria-militiamessalina5672]

It is unmistakable how time just gets away from us. All these public persons we shared an era with are slowly fading into the inevitable. The Queen of England and other figures will sooner or later follow and before we know it an era will have come to its end, forever sealed into the dark silence that is beyond everything

[@Flaubert]

True. David Bowie was the first for me. I am still not over it.

[@rltyumixzwrtwop5973]

This is so sad

[@jonathancineus6424]

Sad. But true. This era is actually changing. Cardi B type of people are taking over. And it’s really not the same...

[@kingofrivia1248]

Yea a lot of heroes of mine are dying and i realize that when i get older noone will care about the people who shaped my life. I was never someone who followed celebritys but i do follow people i admire or look up to. They are very different people but they all fascinate me. A lot of them have passed on.

[@gregdahlen4375]

perhaps not completely silent as they influence future generations

[@AyyoShyGurlTv]

This man is a Genius! He is the reincarnation of Gabrielle Coco Chanel; embodying the spirit of luxury, class, timelessness, and intellelect.

[@Elle_Gowing]

AyyoShyGurlTv In a way yes but their backgrounds were different. Coco Chanel worked her way up from a peasant childhood. Karl comes from an aristocratic background.

[@danishmodern55]

they are no the same at all- do your homework and learn something

[@bngr_bngr]

AyyoShyGurlTv Coco Chanel was a Nazi collaborator.

[@freewal]

Coco Chanel was a nazi

[@anthonybouzeydane1085]

love the straightforward way of approach of everything

[@midnightmilkman1]

He lived a full life, in fact many...rich in the sense of experiences

[@randycox3232]

I so admire Largerfeld. Icon!

[@tomcarney4488]

Me 2

[@kristinesmart24]

R.I.P. KARL L.2-19-2019. One day after my birthday. Now, he can travel in better, kinder, more peaceful places!✌

[@joyojoyo8]

such a great artist.. a visionary.. salute!

[@angeladobrovich6582]

R. I. P. So sad...

[@karimebat4296]

i hate my childhood too, thank god i grew up.

[@kubabooba548]

Lagerfeld: My mother has never come to my shows... :( Reporter: HAHAHAHAHA. Thats great!

[@skylarm5422]

i love him hahaaha so confident and real

[@AADIBAWA]

MAN WAS GENIUS ,,THE WAY HE TALKED,,, AVOID CONTROVERSIES,,,SMART ,,,WOW,,,

[@TheMatriarch-uf6xs]

“My childhood was simple and I wanted to get out of there” 😭😭😭😭 I love he speaks of isolating himself as a kid. Is introverts probably feel that in our soul.

[@Bella_Mar]

Perhaps his isolated upbringing explains his dedicating his life to beautify women, seems his mother was emotionally unavailable. Or maybe he was really fine with his upbringing, but my feeling is that's not the case. The corners of his lips turned down when he said his mother never saw his shows or wear his clothes. I do enjoy his interviews so, what a witty and interesting man, and a fashion genius. RIP King Karl 🙏🏻

[@Bella_Mar]

@Bestill Findrest He was gay, so of course there'd be no woman in his life in a romantic way - but he had plenty of female friends.

[@just_cade]

One of the greatest people to ever live. A genius in every sense, what a life.

[@davidlynch9049]

The man was self made and was a positive force in the world.

[@johannawigg6921]

I love this man 😢

[@rafadydkiemmacha7543]

This is how person’s status makes the way we see him or her. Watch this interview and imagine Karl is just a regular worker. You’d think he’s uninteresting, crazy and rude old man. But the story behind him changes the game entirely.

[@NNAATTYY1974]

the year he won the price for the coat, Yves Saint Laurent won the price for the dress, same contest.

[@love_fleurette]

“I may be commercial but I don’t fly commercial” - Karl Largerfeld

[@LottoLogista]

His motto is goals

[@just_cade]

“My childhood was very simple, I only wanted one thing: to get out of there and to be grown up. I hated to be a child, that’s why I could speak English, German, and French when I was 6.”

[@Robertking1996]

Such a funny man

[@tomcarney4488]

Yep.

[@ManhattanStory]

he is incredible. the woman didn't do the best job at interviewing such a legend.

[@josealmeida76]

At least, she didn't interrupt him. She shut and listened to what he was saying.

[@wisco9er536]

I liked her question of "what was Paris like in those days"

[@senguptasayn]

Great interview. Thank you.

[@How.Dare.You.]

he's so german / european :D

[@travelingexotics]

wow, Mr. Karl Lagerfeld is really genius, if he speaks, really fast and he is also arrogant but funny too, I love it! and important questions answered wisely, Rest in peace, Mr. Karl.

[@petekdemircioglu]

I dont think hes arrogant. He doesnt act as if what people would like to see him doing. Not a popülist. Doesnt mean hes arrogant.

[@frederickthompson2697]

One observes examples of his own subtle sense of humor in his replies. And the little turn of his mouth as he finds humor in his reply. Refreshingly honest. EGO but in control. Lovely. FWIW - F.

[@paolacipriani2527]

Always Unic !

[@MT-sw8rf]

apparently, quite an unhappy childhood...

[@MT-sw8rf]

as an adult - yes. and it is based on your childhood experiences. and sozialising is a part of human nature and one of our main emotional needs. something was very wrong there. having in mind the german mentality, especially the generation back then - i can understand why he would rather be on his own, than communicating with verbally abusive people , which quite a few of the germans are

[@MT-sw8rf]

Krissa Louvae and why would I be a troll?

[@jigglediggle29]

@@MT-sw8rf You don't have a clue, horrendous!

[@JaIch9999]

@M Ra: Like the majority of his generation.

[@JaIch9999]

@@MT-sw8rf The parenting style of his parents' generation was very authoritarian, both in Germany and in France. I hear that in France it still is.

[@gioiaferrante]

For me, it's unreal, I fell like I lost a real father, Heck an older brother 40 years apart. He gave me the first idea of his plastic cuffs for Channel, I never really wore it, however, the last few months I do often and people love it. I think of Karl, I suppose it was a sign, I am guessing you passed before any of us got to Paris fast enough, Again showing you wanted to go fade away and be remembered for who and how much you meant to, not just fashion, to other's, that's how. How, or hurt want to be remembered, again with sadness? I will never say yes or no, but yes comfortable with dignity and privacy I love you, even at this time of the night early morning I can't sleep, the city of lights to me my heart seam so dime Karl. I shall wear my gown with such pride and tears being held back on Sunday evening :( My father never spoke of what I did or saw my work, never it wasn't anticipated, foreseen. I miss you my eyes hurt. For me, it's unreal, I fell like I lost a real father, Heck an older brother 40 years apart. He gave me the first idea of his plastic cuffs for Channel, I never really wore it, however, the last few months I do often and people love it. I think of Karl, I suppose it was a sign, I am guessing you passed before any of us got to Paris fast enough, Again showing you wanted to go fade awa I can't believe this, but I must, we remember when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it killed me, but he spoke of it once, and until he started looking like he started swelling he grew that beard, I was around him when he slowly went into hiding so he could pass with dignity, how he wanted those to remember how he looked and all he did, he didn't want pity, I also remember when he held an arm so he could walk, how did he stay young people keep asking me, he never hung out with old people his (he'd say meaning of his age they didn't understand him, he didn't comprehend how they thought ) I did, of course, my madame her husband cousins we all did. Im so grateful a man understood me, and I, him He was kind loving gentle and more if you knew him and understood him. My eyes are burring and he sounds exactly like myself, I myself think the same way but politics yes I love to engage in, He'd say my dear girl they are mad how in the world can any be good? They are as you say, wonderful actors, without an Oscar. He said taught me to leave the bad things in life behind, I said yes but of course, bake what you need from whatever it was it builds strength. One must only use them if one needs it to be Heard. A person never has to tell their experiences unless there is no other choice,e but always talk about the past's good,'s use the bad ones as your best gas, motivation, fall down, get up, move forward, you again may not have to talk. I would tell him, I myself Karl get judge every day, still hurt, want to be. People truly believe, due to Madame ( aunt, uncle as well ), because I take care of myself, My father takes care of me, pay's my bills? I do, work He was right everything he taught me, sometimes without even saying a word, tired of being judged? He said exactly. I miss you already, My eyes hurt. Im glad for the summer of 2016, seeing, laughing, talking, spending time with you, and them the family Madame sent for me, Im grateful we both understood each other, even soda bottles, but we giggled about them for a personal reason , that has to do with me.

[@celestialjunipers6829]

I never saw the headlines about his recent passing. RIP.

[@krisjanisbelavskis]

Very straight on person

[@SeamlesslyAwkwerd]

Just heard the news of his death, this mans work ethic is so inspirational

[@eleonorasorgon414]

Amazing 🌟

[@antoniov3477]

Aw Rest In Peace x

[@s.f.694]

Such a fascinating man he is

[@mikevincent6332]

sounds like an awful childhood with parents who were uninterested / too snobby and cold to celebrate his successes.

[@dishappywithlife2556]

Iván Segura your comment is silly. It sounds like you, yourself, could use some praise and a hug.....

[@jigglediggle29]

@Iván Segura He said more than often that he was good terms with his parents - he always carried the wedding rings of his parents on a necklace. Plus he wanted to get out of his childhood to create something huge, beeing effective, successful, that's the point he was talking about. But these laughable all hat and no cattle wannabe psychologists think they know it better than Karl himself.

[@igod8054]

well they let him move to paris at a very young age and paid for everything

[@cameliap1146]

@I : how true. Too much prise could be quite... counterproductive.

[@linajurgensen4698]

So basically every German parent.

[@TheMarmite09]

'Balmain was very successful back then" ouch!

[@katjaxxx7353]

He i's my idol, he has so much discipline and I'm proud he is german like me

[@Lawrence_619]

a genius....I wish him well "on the other side", because Im almost certain where ever his spirit lands, is where he'll make his mark as the same genius we knew him to be, among us. I love his snobbishness and entitlement...it was, who he was. But then I hear a lot of stories about how gracious and giving he was (see: Andre Leon Talley & Pat Cleveland). He is one of the very, very few people in life that I wanted to be like. Oh, well...

[@tizzlekizzle]

When someone has a part of themselves that they are very uncomfortable with and they are not courageous enough to acknowledge and face it, they often unconsciously project this part onto "the other".

[@WittenCityChilla]

I really dislike these types of interviewers. Podcasts are such an improvement in terms of creating a real conversation

[@brookegoslin]

I love this man adorable person Intelligent ! Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry Cool Man Interesting !

[@ASB-rw9qm]

R.I.P legend...

[@mohamedsamir2459]

God bless you and I love you papa

[@bostongirlsandy]

Karl seems like a down to earth person.

[@3Runner95]

I wish i can live up to his age and be 1/10 as cool.

[@erikaqueen7407]

Karl ♥️

[@MuhammadAbdullah-sc6xr]

Destined genius

[@ziziscorsese9475]

He says his life was “dedicated to women” ...and yet he had nothing to do with his sisters, and his mother was ok with that. 👁

[@user-wt3ie5sc8y]

Very nice designer and person rest in peace

[@Mode4653]

Yes, he really was 🧡

[@USER936HERTZ]

He spoke at least 4 languages!!

[@ma12345yeah]

I put on interviews of Karl as grandpa goodnight stories :D

[@victorevanssr.5034]

You could spot this guy anywhere. Everyone has a story.

[@andretti-lovezsazsa8066]

You must pay attention to detail.. word for word.., aside from hearing him you must understand each and every word.. some times we like to say we listen but the question is do we really understand what is being said..are you comprehending.. merci beaucoup..

[@bngr_bngr]

I like when he was sporting a beard.

[@kittyyang1042]

Great designer

[@wh7824]

R.I.P Mr Lagerfeld

[@deborahsteele7427]

"A GREAT KEEPER OF HISTORY FOR THE FASHION INDUSTRY" - DEBORAH J. STEELE - 12/13/18 ...

[@philiphanan1493]

Our childhoods sound similar although I had no relationship with my half-sister since she died in the womb. 😢

[@ayeshagull4966]

I can’t afford to bring my dress design into reality but u could have and I could see how it looks in real 🙂💔

[@ayeshagull4966]

❤️

[@NNAATTYY1974]

He often speaks about his mother that was quite a dragon with him. He pretends this had no influence on him, but it does. She was awful with him. He cut relationships with his family 30 years ago.

[@milkachokolata885]

😎☮💗my father💗🙏

[@michaelmcgregor6893]

nice

[@tomcarney4488]

great

[@user-bg7dw4sg5v]

Virgo mode right there

[@magzsara9892]

Classic obsessive puritanical lol But his moon is in Gemini so every now and again he would leave the dirty dishes and party!

[@christophpaessler8444]

RIP and respect Mr. Lagerfeld. THis sounds a little sad!

[@dreams8565]

*His german accent😂*

[@keldarandolph9668]

Preparing

[@elenamyrianthous4208]

Goodbye to the prince of fashion

[@anavilla7134]

THE GERMAN ASCETICISM OF LAGERFELD MEETS THE ELEGANT SOBRIETY OF COCO CHANEL, BUT WHAT MADE HIM A BRILLIANT DESCENDANT OF THE FRENCH CREATOR WAS THAT SHE DISCOVERED SPECTACULARITY IN HER DESIGNS, WHICH SHE HAD TAKEN FROM THE CAN-CAN DANCERS OF LO THAT I SPEAK IN A VIDEO OF MY CHANNEL.

[@adrianamaclennan7832]

I was like him in that I hated being a child.

[@mikeday62]

He must be careful because he looks like Karl Lagerfeld.

[@MissCee370]

Why does the reporter act as she is talking to a small child?

[@catherinethomas2906]

fab

[@winkevinci]

icon

[@mubarakadamadam4754]

Good luck

[@MrSebboxxx]

Ich vermisse ihn ...

[@marcelmarinkovic7597]

Which sunglasses is he wearing?

[@mss1500]

Cuteness