Probably the most abundant designer ever, Karl Lagerfeld has spent the last decade not only perpetuating his own legend but the legend of the enduring fashion icon, Coco Chanel. Twenty-two years after he was recruited to revive the Paris fashion house, the 66-year-old still wins plaudits for keeping the brand fresh and preserving its classic appeal. And that is just one of the many, many things he does at Chanel, and with his time…

How prolific can a single man be? And that too at a ripe old age of 66, dressing up the most glam women the world over and titled fashion’s renaissance man, who himself is nothing, but black and white: of powdered hair, black and white wardrobe and black glasses! The world wonders how Karl Lagerfeld, in addition to juggling eight collections for Chanel, Fendi and his own line Lagerfeld Gallery, also photographs advertising campaigns (he did one for Adidas) and publish books? But Lagerfeld doesn’t bother with sermons or basks in his fame; he just goes ahead and does more…Nupur Mahajan Sinh grills the maverick designer on India, fashion and creativity.

How can you be so many different designers at the same time?

It’s like I have three heads and they never overlap. If I like it, I do it; my job is without pity. I never have the feeling that I have done enough. I always think I can do more, I could do better. And change is the healthiest way to survive.

Eccentric, opportunist, acerbic, witty, genius, exceptional, visible, relentless – which of these words that you have used at various instances to describe yourself does so best?

I’m a free man and I can do what I want. My photographic work reinforces my design works, which also reawakens and refines the writing and architectural project I have and fashion. But I don’t do what I’m doing to achieve a social status.

You are known as the ‘man who’ll never quit.’ What does retirement mean to you?

Ah! Don’t ask me this kind of question. Coco Chanel died doing a collection at 86, I still have plenty of time. I’m interested only in the near future: six months, six months, six months...that is the way I see life.

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