Drawing inspiration: Karl Lagerfeld and Faber-Castell launch the artist's ultimate toolkit
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

It's an impossible endeavour (and a foolish one at that) to try and condense fashion designer/artist Karl Lagerfeld’s colossal career into a short and snappy introduction. In many ways, being such a powerhouse brand means that simply mentioning his name is sufficient.
It is precisely Lagerfield’s monolithic presence that makes his latest collaboration so intriguingly intimate and personal.
Serving as a testament to his aptitude for illustrating – the central driving force behind his fashion designs and striking works of art – Lagerfeld has teamed up with the premium pencil-maker Faber-Castell to create the 'Karlbox'.
Combining Lagerfeld’s sublime style with Faber-Castell’s timeless sophistication, the 'Karlbox' is a luxury kit comprised of 350 fine art tools for drawing and painting.
The extensive collection includes Albrecht Dürer and Polychromos colour pencils, highly pigmented Pitt Artist ink pens, Castell 9000 graphite pencils, watercolour brushes and Pitt crayons and pastels; complete with essential accessories such as a foldable water cup, an eraser and sharperners.
Demonstrating his eye for simple, refined design, Lagerfeld conceived the box’s all-black aesthetic. The wooden frame is reminiscent of a Chinese wedding cabinet, with the drawers housing shades that have been systematically sorted into primary and secondary colours. The drawers are also removable to fully personalise the working space.
Reflecting on his preferred mode of expression, Lagerfeld says: 'To me, drawing is like breathing and writing. These are things that almost relax me.' This admission suitably sums up the 'Karlbox', which feels like a love letter to the art of drawing itself.
Combining Lagerfeld’s sublime style with Fable-Castell’s timeless sophistication, the ’Karlbox’ is a luxury kit comprised of 350 fine art tools for drawing and painting
The extensive collection includes Albrecht Dürer and Polychromos colour pencils, highly pigmented Pitt Artist ink pens, Castell 9000 graphite pencils, watercolour brushes and Pitt crayons and pastels – complete with essential accessories such as a foldable water cup, an eraser and sharperners
Demonstrating his eye for simple, refined design, Lagerfeld conceived the box’s all-black aesthetic. The wooden frame is reminiscent of a Chinese wedding cabinet
The drawers housing the shades have been systematically sorted into primary and secondary colours. They are are also removable to fully personalise the work space
INFORMATION
The ’Karlbox’ is priced at £2,500 and is available exclusively at Faber-Castell stores, Karl Lagerfeld boutiques worldwide and at Harrods. For more information, visit the Faber-Castell website
-
Rebuilt Shigeru Ban houses launch at the architect’s Simose Art Museum in Hiroshima
A series of rebuilt Shigeru Ban houses become available to experience and rent at the Simose Art Museum, designed by the same architect, in Hiroshima, Japan
By Jens H Jensen • Published
-
Grown-up bohemia comes to Ibiza in the redesigned Gran Hotel Montesol
The Experimental Group’s completed Gran Hotel Montesol by Dorothée Meilichzon puts hospitality at the forefront
By Hannah Silver • Published
-
Dominique White wins Max Mara Art Prize for Women 2022 – 2024
Artist Dominique White has been crowned winner of the ninth edition of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women, presented in a ceremony at Whitechapel Gallery
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
In memoriam: Karl Lagerfeld (1933-2019)
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
Anchors away: Chanel sets sail for Cruise 2019 show
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
Best in shows: our standouts of the spring/summer 2018 collections
Photography: Melaine + Ramon. Fashion: Isabelle Kountoure and Jérôme André. Writer: Laura Hawkins
By Jack Moss • Last updated
-
A Visual Journey: fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld's photographic oeuvre on show
By Catherine Shaw • Last updated
-
Fendi lays down the brand's Roman roots in London
By Katrina Israel • Last updated
-
Chanel's Melbourne flagship emulates an elegant Parisian maison
By Katrina Israel • Last updated
-
Chanel unveils its Métiers d'Art 2013 collection at Linlithgow Palace, Scotland
By Apphia Michael • Last updated