Four years after his death at the age of 85 in 2019, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s legacy lives on.

The Chanel creative director will be the subject of a major exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, titled Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty, from May, meaning that celebrities will pay tribute to the fashion icon through their outfits at the annual Met Gala, held next month. And recently the casting for upcoming Disney+ series Kaiser Karl was unveiled, with Daniel Bruhl confirmed to play the Hamburg-born Lagerfeld.

Before that, though, new BBC documentary The Mysterious Mr Lagerfeld promises to explore the man behind the larger-than-life public persona and monochrome outfits, and it’s certain to be a must-watch for anyone who loved fashion docs such as The First Monday In May or The September Issue. 

With access to previously unseen archive footage and some of Lagerfeld’s inner circle, many of whom have not spoken out about the industry legend before, the one-off film promises to shine new light on a fascinating, complex figure.

Here’s everything you need to know before The Mysterious Mr Lagerfeld arrives on our screens.

What is The Mysterious Mr Lagerfeld about?

According to the BBC, the film sees director Michael Waldman (who previously helmed the BBC fashion documentary Inside Dior as well as the series Inside Monaco: Playground Of The Rich) go “in search of the fashion icon that was Karl Lagerfeld, tracking down his inner circle to reveal the man behind the sunglasses, and meeting Choupette, Lagerfeld’s cat and a rumoured heir to his fortune”.

Waldman will also meet other potential beneficiaries to learn more about the truth behind the designer’s public persona (Lagerfeld was a notorious perfectionist in his work, and often hit the headlines for controversial statements, including comments on plus-size bodies and the #MeToo movement). 

“At the heart of the film emerges a figure who, though relishing controversy and often ruthless in the way he ran his fashion empires and his private life, was surprisingly different from the public image,” a BBC synopsis explains. “His effect on those around him – including his beloved Choupette – was profound and lasting.”

Who features in The Mysterious Mr Lagerfeld?

The documentary features interviews with Lagerfeld’s bodyguard, neighbour and doctor, as well as people who worked closely alongside him (and sometimes fell out of favour), as well as his Choupette’s extraordinary retinue, including her agent and nanny.

Also participating are male models Baptiste Giabiconi, who Lagerfeld reportedly wanted to adopt, and Brad Kroenig, who would go on to become the top-earning male model in the world for three years running; Lagerfeld was godfather to Kroenig’s son, Hudson, who has appeared on the Chanel catwalk. 

Lagerfeld’s American niece also features, revealing how the designer – who she barely knew – insisted upon designing her wedding dress.

When is The Mysterious Mr Lagerfeld on TV?

The 90-minute feature will air on BBC Two on 26 April from 9pm and will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer afterwards. 

Images: Getty, BBC/Finestripe Productions Ltd/Francoise Caçote