Karl Lagerfeld, the iconic head designer for Chanel, was known for his distinctive personal style, including his whippet-thin physique and shock of white hair. However, this wasn't always the case. In the nineties, Lagerfeld was noticeably plumper, often sporting diaphanous jackets and a large wooden fan. As the new millennium approached, he decided to embark on a weight loss journey, driven by a desire to wear the clothes designed by Hedi Slimane for Dior Homme. This ambition led him to lose a significant amount of weight, and he documented his experience in a book titled "The Karl Lagerfeld Diet," co-authored with his personal dietician, Dr. Jean-Claude Houdret.
The Genesis of the Diet
Lagerfeld's motivation for losing weight was, as he put it, "superficial." He wanted to fit into the slim silhouettes created by Hedi Slimane. He realized that "these fashions… would require [him] to lose 80 pounds." To achieve this, he followed a strict diet plan designed by Dr. Jean-Claude Houdret, losing the weight within a year. The dramatic transformation sparked so much interest that Lagerfeld decided to share his methods with the world through his book.
Inside "The Karl Lagerfeld Diet"
The book offers a glimpse into Lagerfeld's life, thoughts on skincare, cosmetic surgery, stress management, sleep, exercise, and how to quit smoking. It also includes recipes, though some might find the photos and illustrations rather unusual. The book itself is written in a high-literary style, more akin to a philosophical treatise than a typical diet guide.
Dr. Houdret, the mastermind behind the Spoonlight program, a French diet that combines expensive protein packets with small portions of food, actually wrote most of the book. The book also features passages penned by Lagerfeld himself, identified by his initials, KL. An interview with Lagerfeld by Ingrid Sischy reveals the origins of his diet, his inability to recall his heavier self, and his unwavering discipline.
The Diet Plan
The actual diet is described in the middle of the book. Dr. Houdret prescribes various diet plans, including a severe 900-calorie regimen consisting of protein "sachets" and vegetables for extreme weight loss. Lagerfeld's preferred diet, a more moderate option, involves lean proteins, vegetables, and protein sachets, totaling around 1200 calories per day.
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Lagerfeld emphasizes the importance of discipline and control while dieting. He famously stated, "You are a general and you have a single soldier in your army. You must give him instructions and he must carry them out. It may annoy him but he has no choice."
A typical day on the Lagerfeld diet might start with a "winter breakfast" consisting of a piece of toast, an egg (not fried in oil), juice, yogurt, and a Diet Coke. Lagerfeld reportedly consumed up to ten Diet Cokes a day.
Recipes and Meal Ideas
The book includes various recipes, some of which are quite unconventional. For example, one recipe suggests veal with plums (or prunes if plums are unavailable). Lagerfeld also offers a recipe for quail flambé, a dish he admits to enjoying alone.
Other meal ideas include:
- Baked rabbit spread with fromage frais, pain yogurt, or 1/2 teaspoon mustard
- Steamed fennel with lemon or steamed broccoli with 1 tablespoon low-fat butter
- Two plain yogurts, or 1 piece permitted fruit
- Two cooked heads of endive rolled in half a slice of ham, baked with 3 teaspoons grated Gruyère and 1 tablespoon low-fat butter
- Lettuce, celery, cucumber, mint sauce no. 4
- Two plain yogurts or 1 piece permitted fruit
The book also features a recipe for diet béchamel sauce: "Whip a beaten egg yolk into 1/4 cup boiling soy milk. Add a few finely sliced mushrooms, salt, pepper, and nutmeg."
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Lagerfeld's Philosophy
Lagerfeld viewed dieting as a form of punishment, emphasizing deprivation and self-control. He believed that the best clothes required a skinny frame and that dieting was a means to achieve that. He also advised against exercising, as it could increase hunger.
He famously said, “Dieting is the only game where you win when you lose.” He also advised, "Don’t expect immediate results. There is no hurry," and "Don’t talk about it too much."
Potential Downsides
The Karl Lagerfeld Diet has been criticized for its restrictive nature and potential nutritional deficiencies. The heavy reliance on protein sachets and limited food choices may not be sustainable or healthy in the long term. Some experts have also raised concerns about Lagerfeld's low weight, suggesting that it may have been unhealthy for a man of his height.
Additionally, the diet's emphasis on artificial sweeteners and diet sodas is not in line with current health recommendations. The book's commentary on women's bodies, particularly regarding breast size and shape, has also been deemed problematic.
Legacy
Despite its potential downsides, the Karl Lagerfeld Diet remains a fascinating glimpse into the life and mindset of a fashion icon. It reveals his unwavering discipline, his pursuit of aesthetic perfection, and his willingness to embrace unconventional methods to achieve his goals. While the diet itself may not be suitable for everyone, it serves as a reminder of Lagerfeld's unique personality and his lasting impact on the fashion world.
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