Karl Lagerfeld's never before seen sketches go on auction

It has been two months since Karl Lagerfeld died with his work for Chanel, Fendi, Chloe, Patou, and Balmain remaining unforgotten.

However, not many know of his work during his early days in the 1960s with the House of Tiziani in Rome. The never-before-seen sketches from this period are among Lagerfeld's first fashion drawings and appeared at an auction in January 2014. All copies that were privately owned for decades were sold by the Palm Beach Modern Auctions auction house in Florida.

The last remaining 125 sketches from the long-hidden archive include two of which were drawn specifically for Elizabeth Taylor. Of particular importance are seven Lagerfeld portfolios, each containing between 22 and 44 original sketches. Each prized portfolio is estimated at $2,000-$4,000. Individual sketches are estimated at $1,000-$1,500, while two that were special designs for Elizabeth Taylor could sell for up to $3,000 each.

'Aside from the fact that these sketches are the work of one of the most brilliant couturiers of the last half-century, they are also very rare and might not have survived had they remained in Lagerfeld's possession,' said Urban Culture Auctions co-owner Rico Baca.

Lagerfeld's fashion sketches will be auctioned today with Internet live bidding.

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