Lagerfeld turns newspaper editor

He's known more for making headlines than printing headlines.

But Karl Lagerfeld has turned his leather-gloved hand to journalism for the day.

The designer, nicknamed "The Kaiser" for his command of the fashion brigade, became the Global Editor-In-Chief of the free Metro newspaper.

Lagerfeld set the news agenda at an editorial meeting in Paris.

Lagerfeld put more than his ideas into the paper, he brought his own editorial sketch of Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin wearing a crown with the words: "Putin's dream" written on it.

Putin is currently seeking re-election.

As for French politics, it's widely believed president Nicolas Sarkozy will throw his hat into the race for a second term.

But many people think he won't make it past Socialist Francois Hollande.

Lagerfeld yawned at the topic.

SOUNDBITE: Designer Karl Lagerfeld, saying (English):

"For the moment it's not really inspiring. It's, in the end, very boring."

The designer also said countries should take their cue from businesses and their CEOs - like the luxury goods conglomerate Louis-Vuitton/Moet-Hennessy and its chief executive Bernard Arnault.

Last week, LVMH said its outlook for 2012 was "excellent".

SOUNDBITE: Designer Karl Lagerfeld, saying (English):

"Today, I don't believe in politics a lot. I think countries have to be run like big companies, I think if France would be run like LVMH they would have got the numbers Mr. (Bernard) Arnault announced."

Lagerfeld is one of the last breed of star designers, whose larger-than-life personalities are often on par with their spectacular catwalk creations.

The suicide of Alexander McQueen and public sacking of John Galliano from Christian Dior last year brought this idea into focus.

But Lagerfeld says don't cut them out just yet.

SOUNDBITE: Designer Karl Lagerfeld, saying (English):

"It's not easy to find a team of a certain level because there has to be one person who takes the final decision."

The Lagerfeld-edited Metro newspaper will be out on in 130 cities around the world on Tuesday (February 7), to coincide with the start of New York fashion week.

Cindy Martin, Reuters