Lagerfeld discovered Kroenig in 2003 and first photographed him in Biarritz, France. Lagerfeld explores Kroenig’s evolution from a young “All American Boy” into a professional model. Lagerfeld and Kroenig work to create a series of personas – James Dean, Rudolph Valentino, Lieutenant Pinkerton from Puccini’s Madame Butterfly – whilearrative poem Metamorphoses. According to Lagerfeld, the book “is about the evolution of a very young American who goes into life with unspoiled eyes, with a spirit fresh and naïve, a perfect face and strong limbs. Everything is new for him. He wants to discover it all and dive into the stream of an unexpected life, full of surprises.” never allowing Kroenig to lose his sense of self.

The title is taken from Roman poet Ovid’s narrative poem Metamorphoses. According to Lagerfeld, the book “is about the evolution of a very young American who goes into life with unspoiled eyes, with a spirit fresh and naïve, a perfect face and strong limbs. Everything is new for him. He wants to discover it all and dive into the stream of an unexpected life, full of surprises.”