The collection includes a limited-edition, autographed U2 iPod Classic | Image Credit: Sotheby’s
A truly astounding collection of fashion designer-owned iPods, including a few bespoke models, has surfaced at auction.
Part of prolific fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s estate is currently being auctioned off. The auction includes what you’d expect from an average estate auction: flatware, silverware, artwork, and books.
Of course, there’s a fair amount of high-profile fashion pieces as well. Names like Dior, Hermes, Chanel, Hildich & Key, and Massaro are featured prominently.
But among all the items you’d expect, something stands out — a surprisingly large collection of iPods. Forty-five iPods, to be exact.
Four 5th-generation iPod nanos | Image credit: Sotheby’s
If you’re unfamiliar with Lagerfeld by name, you’re likely familiar with his work. In the mid-60s, Lagerfeld worked as a designer for the French luxury brand, Chloe. He also worked as creative director of Chanel for 36 years, from 1983 until the time of his death in 2019.
And, apparently, he was a huge fan of the iPod.
According to a post made in 20203 by comic book writer Warren Ellis, spotted by Mac Stories Lagerfeld owned over 300 of them. Allegedly, Lagerfeld treated iPods like cassette tapes and even had an “iPod Nanny” who digitized his music collection specifically to add to the devices.
While 300 iPods seem impressive, it’s not correct. Sotheby’s, the auction house in charge of the estate auction, says that the number is actually greater than 500.
First generation iPod nanos owned by Lagerfeld | Image Credit: Sotheby’s
However, this time around, only 45 of them — or 9% of his entire collection — are up for bid.
Most of the lots include four iPods, ranging from the classic iPod up through the seventh-generation iPod nano. One particularly colorful collection of first-generation, 4GB iPod nanos models stands out.
There’s also a rhinestone-covered iPod that is hard to ignore. This lot also features a matching microphone.
A rhinestone-covered iPod with matching microphone | Image credit: Sotheby’s
Other notable pieces include an iPod Classic with his name engraved on the back and a limited edition U2 iPod Classic, complete with the band’s signatures on the back.
All the devices are listed in “not working order,” likely because Sotheby’s didn’t want to risk plugging in the devices, some of which are over 20 years old. That being said, if you were to snag one — or four — of these, it would be interesting to know what music Lagerfeld was listening to.
His astounding collection of iPods isn’t the only brag Lagerfeld has, either. In 2015, Lagerfeld was gifted an all-gold Apple Watch band to go with his gold Apple Watch.
In 2014, Lagerfeld was part of a small group of iconic fashion designers who were given a personal introduction to the Apple Watch by Jony Ive and Mark Newson.
