Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
66,678
36,019


Hundreds of unique Apple iPods that belonged to the late designer Karl Lagerfeld are being auctioned by Sotheby's (via MacStories).

ipod-karl-lagerfeld.jpg

Lagerfeld was a renowned German fashion designer who passed away in 2019. The auction features a range of custom iPods, including uniquely decorated models and rare first-generation devices. Each iPod is meticulously loaded with curated music.

According to graphic novelist Warren Ellis, "Lagerfeld famously had an 'iPod nanny' to digitize his collection for the iPods and to add new music to new devices. This is how he ended up with over 300 of them – he treated them like cassette tapes."

ipod-karl-lagerfeld-2.jpg

Lagerfeld's collection also included other Apple devices, such as iPads, which he reportedly used as digital sketchbooks and diaries. Despite owning several iPhones, Lagerfeld avoided using email and instead maintained a preference for handwritten correspondence.

The auction is part of a broader sale of Lagerfeld's estate featuring over 200 lots, providing a comprehensive look into his personal and professional life. It closes on January 31.


Article Link: Hundreds of Unique iPods From Karl Lagerfeld's Collection Now on Auction
 
The collection would be better suited for a museum so it could be viewed as a whole. Apple should purchase the entire collection.
Apple does not care about these iPods. And all I see is some rich person that used expensive devices as disposable items because he could. They are overpriced and I am guessing that most of them don't work.
 
"He treated them like cassette tapes."

I actually do the same thing with SD/micro SD cards for my various cameras. I don't erase them ever. The keepers hit my iCloud Photo Library, and I have backups of each card, but the card itself just stays as it was. When they're full it's done and I buy more. About once a year I read them on my computer to make sure the electrons don't go "stale". It's kind of like film negatives, in a way.

Granted, I don't shoot professionally, so a few 64GB or 128GB cards last me years and years.

I'm not sure the iPod ethos would be any more convenient by having numerous ones. Seems like a hassle.
 
I'd like to see an iPod Anniversary Edition release, ideally built from "off the shelf" m.2 where one can easily get 4TB of m.2 right now for < $200 (at retail, buying just a single unit). So put classic Apple markup on it and a 4TB iPod "Special Edition" could sell for around the original- $449-$499.

And I'd be first in line to buy it... ideally with the original pure iPod type OS instead of iPod Touch... but I'd roll with the latter if that's how it had to be.

I suspect nostalgia alone could move a crowd to buy one too. Segments of people are buying modern repackaging of far more ancient tech such as game consoles from the 1970s-1990s.

Why make one of these? Why not just use virtual iPod on iPhone? iPod doesn't have the expensive "tail" of ongoing cell service. $499 is a LOT less than $799+. 4000GB is a LOT, LOT more storage than 128GB. Etc.

Now if Apple jumped on the idea but decided to use it's "magical", proprietary storage where the 4TB upgrade is $1200 by itself, this iPod would be priced far too high and loses any appeal whatsoever to me. But use "off the shelf" storage as they did with actual iPods back in the day and they can get their fat margin while keeping the retail price accessible.

Just my opinion... but I'm still rocking a 5th GEN iPod Classic for a very useful/specific use. It seems doomed to conk sooner than later and I'd like a replacement that is NOT a phone or tablet.
 
Last edited:
I'd like to see an iPod Anniversary Edition release, ideally built from "off the shelf" m.2 where one can easily get 4TB of m.2 right now for < $200. So put classic Apple markup on it and a 4TB iPod "Special Edition" could sell for around the original- $449-$499.

And I'd be first in line to buy it... ideally with the original pure iPod type OS instead of iPod Touch... but I'd roll with the latter if that's how it had to be.

I suspect nostalgia alone could move a crowd to buy one too. Segments of people are buying modern repackaging of far more ancient tech such as game consoles from the 1970s-1990s.

Why make one of these? Why not just use virtual iPod on iPhone? iPod doesn't have the expensive "tail" of ongoing cell service. $499 is a LOT less than $799+. 4000GB is a LOT, LOT more storage than 128GB. Etc.

Just my opinion... but I'm still rocking a 5th GEN iPod Classic for a very useful/specific use. It seems doomed to conk sooner than later and I'd like a replacement that is NOT a phone or tablet.
I always thought it would be cool to make at least make one more generation of the iPod Classic with support for syncing Apple Music playlists and full switching AirPods support. Ultra thin like the nano, higher end DAC so it sounds good and a headphone jack.
 
I always thought it would be cool to make at least make one more generation of the iPod Classic with support for syncing Apple Music playlists and full switching AirPods support. Ultra thin like the nano, higher end DAC so it sounds good and a headphone jack.

I'd be completely there, beyond first in line (breaking into the store before it opens to get one and just leave the money on the counter). ;)
 
I always thought it would be cool to make at least make one more generation of the iPod Classic with support for syncing Apple Music playlists and full switching AirPods support. Ultra thin like the nano, higher end DAC so it sounds good and a headphone jack.

Don't tease me like this ...

Kills me we don't have a line of hyper thin and light iPods w/ BT support for offline playlist syncing and usage at the gym and running/exercising

I use old Nano 7s and Shuffles for this -- which works (since I curate and keep my own actual music library) -- but something new would be so welcome and needed for AM users (not me)
 
I'd like to see an iPod Anniversary Edition release, ideally built from "off the shelf" m.2 where one can easily get 4TB of m.2 right now for < $200. So put classic Apple markup on it and a 4TB iPod "Special Edition" could sell for around the original- $449-$499.

And I'd be first in line to buy it... ideally with the original pure iPod type OS instead of iPod Touch... but I'd roll with the latter if that's how it had to be.

I suspect nostalgia alone could move a crowd to buy one too. Segments of people are buying modern repackaging of far more ancient tech such as game consoles from the 1970s-1990s.

Why make one of these? Why not just use virtual iPod on iPhone? iPod doesn't have the expensive "tail" of ongoing cell service. $499 is a LOT less than $799+. 4000GB is a LOT, LOT more storage than 128GB. Etc.

Now if Apple jumped on the idea but decided to use it's "magical", proprietary storage where the 4TB upgrade is $1200 by itself, this iPod would be priced far too high and loses any appeal whatsoever to me. But use "off the shelf" storage as they did with actual iPods back in the day and they can get their fat margin while keeping the retail price accessible.

Just my opinion... but I'm still rocking a 5th GEN iPod Classic for a very useful/specific use. It seems doomed to conk sooner than later and I'd like a replacement that is NOT a phone or tablet.
Why on earth couldn’t you just buy an iPhone SE 256 GB?
I know For a fact you can find those for significantly cheaper than $700.
Completely nonsensical to talk about the cell service plan when talking about buying something to be used as an iPod. Bought by Apple don’t come with cellular plans, you have to add that on later. So just… Don’t activate it. And there you go, an iPod touch.

Also fun fact, that $499 iPod first generation with inflation would be over $1000 today.
 
To this day, with nearly every product they release, I find myself wishing for "way more color!"

It's incredibly boring to have these muted shades of XYZ colors that barely pop in the slightest

No fun - no personality ... just "blah"
True. I think the era of soft / muted / pastels should end. I'd love myself a set of Mondrian colors like Karl's iPod nanos. Could Apple be courageous enough to at least release a Product(RED) iPad and/or MacBook?
 
Apple does not care about these iPods. And all I see is some rich person that used expensive devices as disposable items because he could. They are overpriced and I am guessing that most of them don't work.
“Overpriced” isn’t a word that makes sense when talking about collectibles. A valid price is any price the market will bear — and for unique items, that’s a market of 1. In this case, you and I and 99% of other people aren’t the target market for these things.
 
Don't tease me like this ...

Kills me we don't have a line of hyper thin and light iPods w/ BT support for offline playlist syncing and usage at the gym and running/exercising

I use old Nano 7s and Shuffles for this -- which works (since I curate and keep my own actual music library) -- but something new would be so welcome and needed for AM users (not me)
You mean like the Apple Watch?
You don’t even need to slip it in your pocket, I’m not understanding how an iPod is better.
Other than The Internet’s favorite game, “ old stuff good new stuff bad”.
And if that’sThe game you are playing why on earth would you get an iPod when you could get a Walkman?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ZZ9pluralZalpha
Lot of expensive (yeah neat and customized look) digital garbage. One of few geeks whose drawer is interesting. Mostly cables in mine. Not decorated.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Lioness~
I always thought it would be cool to make at least make one more generation of the iPod Classic with support for syncing Apple Music playlists and full switching AirPods support. Ultra thin like the nano, higher end DAC so it sounds good and a headphone jack.
They have to get back like Jobs' 97 - 2010 era. Daring, breaking all the rules, and releasing quirky but thoughtful products that just works beautifully.
.
If they ever release one that you mentioned, I'd fly to whichever country that could deliver that product the soonest into my hands.
 
Why on earth couldn’t you just buy an iPhone SE 256 GB?

4000GB > 256GB?
2000GB (retailing under $100) > 256GB?
1000GB (retailing under $50) > 256GB?

I'd like a modern take on a classic product instead of a rapidly-aging phone. Are phones on the A15 chipset not suffering the mysterious "long in tooth" slowdowns yet? If not, let's check again right after the next iOS update. The original iPod OS (not touch) is still running as fast as the day I got it in about '07 or so. It "just works."

I know For a fact you can find those for significantly cheaper than $700.

With 4TB retailing for < $200, Apple could make one of these priced at $500 to get their full, fat margin and still offer a very attractive price for those of us interested. Since Apple cost will not be at one unit, retail priced, they could probably get their full, fat margin target at $399. And nothing would stop a 2000GB "middle" tier option for probably $249 (Apple pricing) and 1000GB "base" tier for probably $129 or so... maybe even $99 (Apple priced, with full Apple profit margin target).

Also fun fact, that $499 iPod first generation with inflation would be over $1000 today.

And yet, because storage prices have DEFLATED such that it's possible to get 4TB of m.2 for comparable to the first generation, tiny (Toshiba) drive, DEFLATION could deliver a $499 iPod and still give Apple all it wants in margin.

Fun fact: DEflation exists too. It's not just an INflation and only INflation world.
 
Last edited:
If I was running a fashion museum (Chanel probably has one and that's the obvious choice) of some sort it would be probably be nice to have one or two of those electronic paper weights to fill the collection.
Or even Apple itself.
Just like when a few years ago Mercedes bought a taxi from a driver in my country, brand new, just 2 million Kms on the meter.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dabotsonline
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.