BERLIN (AP) – When it came to presenting the story of his own life, Karl Lagerfeld stayed out of the editing room.

The fashion icon, Chanel’s designer since 1983, came to the Berlin Film Festival on Saturday to promote “Lagerfeld Confidentiel” – a documentary he worked on for two years with French director Rodolphe Marconi.

The film focuses on key moments in the life of the German-born designer, who has lived for decades in France.

“I didn’t have anything to do with the editing. … I don’t really know anything about it,” Lagerfeld, 68, told reporters.

He also said he couldn’t watch himself for the 300 hours of footage the director shot. Marconi reduced the material to an 88-minute film.

Asked how he felt about revisiting his creative past, Lagerfeld replied that “in a sense, it’s something that’s got nothing to do with me, almost.”

“I don’t make comparisons – especially, I don’t compare myself with myself,” he said. “Today is today and yesterday is yesterday.”

Lagerfeld said “there’s nothing worse than being too pleased with yourself.”

“Nobody learns anything from success,” he said. “You only learn from your mistakes.”