Karl Lagerfeld with Christy Turlington

My first trip to Paris as a photographer was with Carrie Donovan - fashion director of the NY Times. I had poked into her W 43 St office, asked her to take me to a fashion show and she said, “Meet me at the Miyake show next Wednesday in Paris.” I knew nothing about the fashion world. There I was tucked under Carrie’s seat in the front row peering out with wonder at pure beauty. Listening to Tom Waits blasting every ear drum with “TEMPTATION!”. Then I was at a sitting for a Chanel show. Karl sat at his throne built with handbags and jewelry. From his left came the most famous fashion models in the world for a final tweak. From his right was a parade of fashion editors and glitterati sharing a seat beside the master and often leaving with new jewels.I climbed up on a bookcase to take pictures of the whole scene. Karl looked up and yelled, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP THERE?” I said, “I AM TAKING PICTURES!!” He laughed. His laugh was my permission.