Colours in black
In today’s digital world, one might question the need for physical implements like the humble colour pencil. True, a tablet might be handier, but nothing quite replicates the tactile and connective feel that drawing with a pencil brings. Karl Lagerfeld, designer extraordinaire for Chanel, would know – he sketched with Faber-Castell pencils as a child and continues to do today as he traces out his vision for fashion. Naturally, Monsieur Karl was the perfect personality to collaborate with Swiss art supply maestros Faber-Castell on the Karlbox.
Housed in a sleek beechwood box resembling a Chinese wedding cabinet, the jet black exterior gives way to a dazzling rainbow of colours as the Karlbox’s five drawers open up. Inside is a staggering 350 premium-grade supplies for fine art drawing and painting, including Lagerfeld’s personal favourite – the Albrecht Dürer water-soluble colour pencil line, all 120 shades of them. Also included are the Polychromos colour pencil set, Pitt ink pens, Castell 9000 graphite pencils, brushes, erasers, sharpeners and a Clic & Go foldable cup; in short, everything an artist would want in a fine art box set.
Carefully sorted by primary and secondary colour palettes, the way Lagerfeld would curate a fashion show, only 2,500 examples of the Karlbox will be produced – five of which have already been snapped up by Lagerfeld himself. Each will carry it’s own unique serial number, retailing at €2,500 (RM11,550) each. The box sets will be available online, as well as Faber-Castell stores, Karl Lagerfeld boutiques and select departmental stores including Harrods London and Le Bon Marché in Paris.
“To me, drawing is like breathing and writing,” says Lagerfeld, “These are things that almost relax me.” And he hopes that it will also relax, as well as inspire, you.
