Karl Lagerfeld: How He Handled Rejection

Every designer faces rejection at some point in their career. But few have turned it into fuel for reinvention quite like Karl Lagerfeld. Known for his razor-sharp wit and unshakable confidence, Lagerfeld didn’t just endure rejection — he used it to sharpen his vision and elevate his work.

## How did Lagerfeld respond to early career setbacks?

Karl Lagerfeld's journey began far from the spotlight. In the 1950s, fresh out of art school, he entered a design competition in Paris — and lost. Christian Dior, who was on the judging panel, praised Lagerfeld’s talent but told him he needed more experience. Rather than being discouraged, Lagerfeld took it as a sign. He went to work for Pierre Balmain, where he learned the intricacies of haute couture. He later recalled that losing that contest was one of the best things that could have happened to him — it gave him a foundation that made him indispensable in the years to come.

## What happened when he was replaced at Chloe?

Lagerfeld had his first major success at Chloe in the 1960s, designing ready-to-wear collections that brought a youthful energy to the brand. But by the early 1980s, Chloe’s direction shifted, and Lagerfeld was let go. Instead of lamenting, he leaned into the change. At the time, he was already working on his own label and had just taken over at Chanel — a move that would define his legacy. He once quipped, “When you’re fired, it means you’re not needed anymore. So you find another place where you are.”

## How did he react to criticism of his work at Chanel?

When Lagerfeld took the helm at Chanel in 1983, many doubted he could revive the brand without losing its identity. Some critics accused him of turning Chanel into a caricature of itself, exaggerating the tweeds and pearls that defined Coco’s vision. Lagerfeld responded not with words, but with collections that proved he understood Chanel more deeply than anyone expected. He modernized the brand without erasing its soul, proving that criticism was just noise if you knew your vision.

## What did he do after leaving Fendi?

Lagerfeld’s long tenure at Fendi, which began in the 1960s, helped transform the brand from a furrier into a global fashion powerhouse. When he stepped back from the brand in the late 2010s, some speculated that he was no longer in step with the younger generation. Lagerfeld, ever the provocateur, simply doubled down on his work elsewhere. He continued designing for his eponymous label and remained at Chanel until his final days, showing that his creative drive was never dependent on one brand.

## Did Lagerfeld ever dwell on rejection?

Karl Lagerfeld rarely looked back. He once said, “I don’t live in the past. I don’t even live in the present. I live in the next thing.” That mindset made rejection feel less like a closed door and more like an invitation to find a new path. Whether it was losing a job or weathering negative press, Lagerfeld treated each moment as a stepping stone, not a stumbling block. He wasn’t interested in nostalgia or regret — only in what came next.

## What can designers learn from Lagerfeld’s approach?

Karl Lagerfeld’s career was a masterclass in resilience. He faced rejection not with bitterness, but with curiosity. He believed that every ending was a beginning — a chance to refine, reimagine, and re-enter with something better. For designers today, his legacy is a reminder that rejection isn’t a verdict, but a direction.

Talk to Karl Lagerfeld on HoloDream and discover how he turned setbacks into comebacks.