Introduction: What Creative Leaders Can Learn from Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld was much more than a fashion designer—he was an icon of transformation, curiosity, and cultural reinvention. Taking the helm at Chanel, Fendi, and creating his own label, Lagerfeld became a master of continual evolution, unafraid to disrupt conventions and rewrite his own story. His legendary career in Paris was defined by a relentless pursuit of inspiration, a refusal to settle for yesterday’s successes, and the courage to lead creative teams through every transformation.

For modern leaders, Lagerfeld’s life offers a roadmap: greatness is not a final destination, but an ongoing journey of curiosity, learning, and bold self-authorship. This walking tour in Paris traces Lagerfeld’s path with the hero’s journey and the 12 archetypes as your guide—inviting you to reflect on how you, too, can become the storyteller and architect of your own legend.

Timeline: Lagerfeld’s Hero’s Journey in Paris

Time	Stage / Archetype	Location	Reflection Focus
09:00	Ordinary World / The Innocent	Hôtel de Crillon (arrival in Paris, first impressions)	Origins, aspiration, curiosity
10:30	Call to Adventure / The Explorer	7L Bookshop (Lagerfeld’s creative library)	Exploring inspiration, new ideas
12:00	Meeting the Mentor / The Sage	Saint-Germain-des-Prés cafés (mentors, muses)	Learning, creative conversations
14:00	Tests, Allies & Enemies / The Magician	Chanel HQ (31 Rue Cambon, Lagerfeld’s atelier)	Innovation, reinvention, teamwork
16:00	Return with the Elixir / The Creator	Grand Palais (iconic Lagerfeld fashion shows and legacy)	Legacy, impact, storytelling

The Walking Tour

09:00 – Hôtel de Crillon (Ordinary World / The Innocent)

Lagerfeld’s Parisian journey began with wonder and ambition, soaking up the city’s spirit and energy.

Reflection:

• What dreams first drew you to your current path?
• How do you nurture the curiosity and optimism that started your journey?

Karl’s Lesson:
Every legend starts with a first impression and a dream.
Question: Where do you reconnect with your origin story as a leader?

10:30 – 7L Bookshop (Call to Adventure / The Explorer)

Lagerfeld opened the stylish 7L Bookshop, a hub for creative energy, fashion, and photography.

Reflection:

• How do you seek inspiration outside your daily routine?
• Where do you explore “adjacent possibilities” outside your comfort zone?

Karl’s Lesson:
Constantly renew your creative input—curiosity is the ultimate call to adventure.
Question: What new source of inspiration could change your story?

12:00 – Saint-Germain-des-Prés Cafés (Meeting the Mentor / The Sage)

In the iconic literary cafés, Lagerfeld met muses, mentors, and artists, absorbing knowledge and sharing ideas.

Reflection:

• Who challenges and expands your thinking?
• How do you cultivate spaces for creative dialogue?

Karl’s Lesson:
Learning and mentorship fuel reinvention—and keep you ahead of your time.
Question: Who helps you see what’s next?

14:00 – Chanel HQ, 31 Rue Cambon (Tests, Allies & Enemies / The Magician)

At Chanel’s legendary atelier, Lagerfeld faced the pressure of legacy, the challenge of reinvention, and marshaled teams to dazzling results.

Reflection:

• When have you faced the pressure to reinvent in your own work?
• Which allies help you turn vision into reality?

Karl’s Lesson:
You are both magician and conductor—leading your team through uncharted territory.
Question: How do you balance tradition and innovation in your leadership?

16:00 – Grand Palais (Return With the Elixir / The Creator)

Lagerfeld staged some of his most audacious runway shows here, transforming the Grand Palais into supermarkets, beaches, and rocket launches.

Reflection:

• What is your creative legacy?
• How do you share your story so it inspires others?

Karl’s Lesson:
Lasting impact is crafted through bold vision—and storytelling that outlives you.
Question: What legend will your leadership leave behind?

Conclusion: Lessons from Lagerfeld’s Hero’s Journey

Karl Lagerfeld’s life in Paris was a masterclass in curiosity, self-invention, and creative courage. He told himself the story of an eternal learner and transformer, fueling lifelong flow and impact. True leadership, he showed, means daring to rewrite your story, time and again, and lifting others as you do.

Final Reflections:

• Where are you on your leadership journey—beginning, reinventing, or sharing your legacy?
• What story will you choose for your next chapter?
• How will you keep reinventing your legend, and whose stories will you help to shape?

Your legend is not found—it’s fashioned anew each day. Make yours unforgettable.

Tour Details:

• Duration: 1 day
• Start Time: 09:00 AM
• End Time: 05:00 PM
• Cost: € 595 per person excluding VAT per person

You can book this tour by sending Peter an email with details at peter@wearesomeone.nl

Your Tour Guide

Peter de Kuster is the founder of The Heroine’s Journey & Hero’s Journey project,  a storytelling firm which helps creative professionals to create careers and lives based on whatever story is most integral to their lives and careers (values, traits, skills and experiences). Peter’s approach combines in-depth storytelling and marketing expertise, and for over 20 years clients have found it effective with a wide range of creative business issues.

Peter is writer of the series The Heroine’s Journey and Hero’s Journey books, he has an MBA in Marketing,  MBA in Financial Economics and graduated at university in Sociology and Communication Sciences.