You know, the place where Helmut Newton died.
The Chateau Marmont is one of Los Angeles' harbors: 1000 stories, 1000 Hollywood myths. Until today Chateau Marmont is more than a hotel. It is one of the places where you feel Los Angeles, in whose rooms you feel "things have happened here, it is an energetic place" - Says Kai Margrander. He not only loves the Chateau Marmont, it became a part of him, his world, his esthetic system as a fashion director.
"It's an incredible place. Helmut Newton died here, I will always remember his story. How he drove his car against the wall. Heart attack. It's a glamorous death to die." Very, Chateau Marmont. But what is the Chateau in a sentence? "I think it's the eye of the hurricane, and the hurricane is called Los Angeles."
When I get here, I'm in a good mood. I'd even say I'm "flashed" I do not know why. The marble, the colors, everything here fits so well together in an irrational manner. There are ice cubes in the pissoirs, which is rare and it looks good.
That's the place to meet the celebrities. The mother of Drew Barrymore followed me once and wanted to convince me to stay. She had plans with me. At the pool you'll rather meet the Hollywood women, the men are sitting in the restaurant. The pool is the secret place where conversations take place that no one will ever write down or record.
The Chateau has special candles with a special scent, which are lit in the evening. I can hardly sleep without this scent, so I always buy up to five candles before I go back. The customs know me already because of my candle trade and check me and my candles every time. I need the candles at home. Without the thought of the Chateau, I can't fall asleep.
The view, it is always the evening view, which enchants me. There is a small balcony, where the view over LA is the greatest. Once I arrived at the Chateau and they told me "Oh sorry Mr. Margrander, you have the smallest room this time. I was angry at first, but then I discovered this room has this balcony. I spent half of the night on this terrace.
Kai Margrander is the fashion director of Harper's Bazaar Germany. He started his career in fashion in 1997 by joining the fashion team of GQ Germany. In 2000 he became Germany's youngest fashion editor. In 2005 he changed to Glamour Germany as deputy fashion director, becoming fashion director of the magazine in 2008. In 2013 after 16 years at Condé Nast he became the fashion director of Harper's Bazaar Germany in Berlin for the launch of the magazine in 2014 and serves at its fashion director to the present day. Besides being a regular member of the guild for the CFDA Awards as well as the BFAs, he's a member of jury for the Design Challenge of Copenhagen Fashion Summit.
