Karl Lagerfeld built a reputation on more than silhouette. His words carried as much weight as his designs, turning sharp observations into phrases that outlived the moment. That legacy sits at the centre of a new capsule for KARL LAGERFELD JEANS, created with Italian artist Pietro Terzini, whose own work plays with language and sharp observations.
Photo credit: Matt Easton.
The collaboration brings together four original phrases across ready-to-wear and accessories, including T-shirts, hoodies, a white shirt, and additional pieces. Terzini’s handwriting carries the phrases, while details and labelling appear in his signature light blue. Black and white anchor the palette, a nod to both Lagerfeld’s world and Terzini’s own. The capsule also features in the brand’s Fall/Winter 2026 campaign starring Paris Hilton and Kit Butler.
Photo credit: Matt Easton.
“Language was always central to Karl’s identity. His words were as recognizable as his silhouette and continue to resonate today,” said Hun Kim, Creative Director of KARL LAGERFELD. “Through this collaboration with Pietro, we wanted to celebrate that legacy.”
For Terzini, the project was a chance to continue a conversation through his own visual language. He describes the process as instinctive, choosing phrases from a large pool of ideas based on what felt right rather than a fixed strategy. Below, he talks about reading Lagerfeld’s quotes, designing for denim, and why irony still matters in fashion.
Karl Lagerfeld was known for his sharp wit and provocative use of language. How did you approach capturing that essence while still making it your own?
I read a book that collected some of his best quotes, and they were so perfect that I honestly wished I could use those! We decided to create original ones, while still keeping the spirit of his words.
The collection is described as “inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s enduring wit.” What specifically about his use of language resonated most with you as an artist?
What resonated with me most was his ability to understand real life and people, and then distill that understanding into simple, powerful words. His quotes go beyond fashion or a specific moment in time, they express universal and timeless ideas about who we are as human beings. That’s what I find so powerful about language: when just a few words can capture something we all feel, regardless of who we are or where we come from.
The collaboration is for KARL LAGERFELD JEANS specifically. Was there any creative limitation that came with designing for denim versus other categories?
No limitations at all, I was super free in the creation of every product!
The collaboration focuses on four original phrases across ready-to-wear and accessories. Can you tell us about the thinking behind choosing those specific words?
The selected phrases actually came from a huge pool of ideas we developed throughout the creative process. In the end, there wasn’t a specific strategy behind the selection. We simply chose the ones we liked the most, the ones that felt right and best captured the feeling we wanted to convey. It was more about instinct and personal taste.
Your work is known for its distinctive visual language and irony. How did you incorporate your signature style with the Karl Lagerfeld aesthetic for this project?
The pieces really reflect who I am because they’re designed for everyday life, they’re easy and natural to wear. The color palette is very Karl, but at the same time very much part of my own world, as black and white are colors I use constantly in my work. My distinctive touch comes through in the handwritten phrases, which feature my own handwriting, while some of the details and labelling are in my signature light blue. In the end, the match between our two worlds felt very natural.
In your view, why do irony and humor remain such a powerful tool in fashion and art today?
Because they encourage a critical way of looking at life, everyday situations, and society. They reflect thoughts and feelings that people can recognize themselves in, but always with a touch of irony that can make them smile. To me, there’s something deeply human about that, especially in a world that is becoming increasingly digital.
This collaboration is about language as much as it is about fashion. Why do you think words carry such weight in this context?
For me, the garment always comes first. The phrase is a detail, an extra touch that gives the piece its personality and can create an intellectual or emotional connection with the person wearing it. But ultimately, the materials, the fit, the quality, and the design are more important than my small written intervention.
How does a project like this, a collaboration with the namesake brand of one of fashion’s most iconic figures, feel in the context of your overall career?
I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the biggest names in fashion, but this one feels different. I’m genuinely excited because of the scale of the collaboration, but also because Karl is Karl. His name is fashion. He shaped the industry and influenced generations of creatives, including me. Seeing my words and my handwriting become part of his world feels almost surreal. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created, and above all, I feel honored and grateful to be part of it.
If you could choose one phrase from this collection that best represents both you and Karl Lagerfeld together, which would it be and why?
Choose me or you lose me. Because it’s a phrase that speaks about life and relationships, but does it with wit and a bit of attitude. That’s something I associate with Karl, and it’s also something I always try to bring into my own work: saying something real without taking it too seriously.
The KARL LAGERFELD x Pietro Terzini capsule for KARL LAGERFELD JEANS launches worldwide on 15 September at KARL LAGERFELD stores, on karllagerfeld.com, and through selected wholesale partners.
