Karl Lagerfeld, his personal collection up for auction at Sotheby’s, including his radiofonografo 126
With over a thousand lots for eight auctions at Sotheby’s locations in Munich, Paris and Cologne scheduled between now and next year, Karl Lagerfeld’s collection will leave the designer’s residences to start a new life in the world. Collectors who, depending on their interests, will be able to choose between design objects, sculptures and posters, clothes and personal effects that tell the life lived as a work of art by the Kaiser of fashion.
Lagerfeld’s boundless ingenuity was not limited only to imagining dream clothes but also experimented with interior design, photography and collecting. In fact, the auction was defined as “an anthology of the personal taste of the designer who has become the leading figure of the luxury industry he helped to build”.
Sotheby’s “KARL Karl Lagerfeld’s Estate Part I” auction, the first of three, also included the radiofonografo rr126 designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965.
The radiofonografo is included in the paper catalogue of the MoMa Design Store of late 2019 and printed in 1.5 million copies, and it is also pictured in the online MoMa Design Store. A best seller for product value for several months, it has been conquering an attentive and passionate audience not only in the US, but world round.
It can be found in the world’s main museums and exhibitions, from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London to the Triennale of Milan; from the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum of New York to the Maas Museum of Sidney or the Kunshaus of Zurich.
radiofonografo rr126 that belonged to Karl Lagerfeld
Original design by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Our firm does not know the identity of all radiofonografo lovers. Of many famous characters, we know they own vintage pieces, while others disclosed their name when buying them along these years; nevertheless, we respects their desire of privacy and do not disclose their names.
Very popular among top photographers or film makers for exclusive sets and scenes, TV serials or series, he has always been under the spotlight for his great stage presence, his inborn playfulness and the joy he transmits.
David Bowie, a big fan
radiofonografo rr126 that belonged to David Bowie
Original design by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
One of the greatest tributes to the radiofonografo comes from David Bowie: not just a pop icon, singer and musician without par, but also a tireless collector of small and large works of art and unique items, especially those sharing a bond with his artistic life.
In 2016, it was auctioned by Sotheby’s with other 399 items from his personal collection, and sold for the amount of 257,000 pounds, was sold at the highest price of the entire collection.
Today David Bowie and Karl Lagerfeld’s radiophonograph lead new life, brightening the days of lucky lovers of our Made in Italy.
