Daniel Brühl plays the title character in the 70s, when he was designing for Chloé before he expanded to his own line. Paralleling the fashion narrative is his relationship with his muse and frustratingly platonic friend, Jacques de Basher (Théodore Pellerin). Brühl creates a character with emotional depth and frustrated desire, while Pellerin is continually seductive yet illusive. The designer’s dresses take a back seat to his ambitious machinations to grow his burgeoning career. He also struggles for respectability among the couture houses, esp. Yves Saint Laurent (Alex Lutz), who caused strife and competition in fashion and the mutual desire for de Basher. As a result, this is much more about the man and his demons than the designer’s rise to fame. It does end with a final image that suggests there might be a 2^nd season. Even though it repeats the issues too often, this series presents a fascinating glimpse into Lagerfeld’s personal life and the fabulous fashion world of the period. (6 one-hour eps) (3.5 / 5)

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