Karl Lagerfeld

Fashion Designer

Karl Lagerfeld (1933-2019) was one of the most acclaimed fashion designers in the world best known for his position as the creative director of the legendary French house of Chanel. Born in Hamburg, Germany Lagerfeld got his start in fashion after winning in the coat category of the International Wool Secretariat prize at the age of 22. This award helped him to land a position at Pierre Balmain where he stayed for three years. Lagerfeld went on to become the Artistic Director of Jean Patou. Following his stint at Patou, Lagerfeld began freelancing for several top fashion brands including Chloé, Valentino as well as working for shoemaker Charles Jourdan. In 1967, Lagerfeld was recruited by Fendi where he remarkably revamped the brand's fur line. Lagerfeld also pioneered the use of new skins in high fashion such as mole, rabbit, and squirrel. He stayed at the helm of Fendi throughout his career.

In 1984, Lagerfeld launched his eponymous label, which became known for its refined tailoring and bold wearable pieces. One year prior, Lagerfeld was appointed Creative Director of the house of Chanel. It was at Chanel that Lagerfeld became a word-renowned and critically acclaimed designer. Lagerfeld received consistent praise for his ability to instil a sense of the past and inject Chanel's own vision into his collections while still pushing them into new territory, making them ever so relevant, fresh, and desirable for a clientele of all ages. Not only was Lagerfeld celebrated for his designs at Chanel, but he was also famous for his elaborate runway shows for which he would create spectacular settings such as city streets, supermarkets, and even once a rocket launching pad.

Lagerfeld was always a hard worker and was known for having a relentless work schedule. In addition to fashion, he had several other professional interests. For instance, he was a caricaturist and a photographer and photographed several Chanel campaigns. Several of his images have been published in art books. He also published a book in 2004 entitled The Karl Lagerfeld Diet about his remarkable weight loss journey.

In 2010, Lagerfeld received the Couture Council Fashion Visionary Award from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). In 2015 Lagerfeld was awarded the British Fashion Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Lagerfeld died in Paris, France, on 19 February 2019 at the age of 85.

Karl Lagerfeld (1933-2019) was one of the most acclaimed fashion designers in the world best known for his position as the creative director of the legendary French house of Chanel. Born in Hamburg, Germany Lagerfeld got his start in fashion after winning in the coat category of the International Wool Secretariat prize at the age of 22. This award helped him to land a position at Pierre Balmain where he stayed for three years. Lagerfeld went on to become the Artistic Director of Jean Patou. Following his stint at Patou, Lagerfeld began freelancing for several top fashion brands including Chloé, Valentino as well as working for shoemaker Charles Jourdan. In 1967, Lagerfeld was recruited by Fendi where he remarkably revamped the brand's fur line. Lagerfeld also pioneered the use of new skins in high fashion such as mole, rabbit, and squirrel. He stayed at the helm of Fendi throughout his career.

In 1984, Lagerfeld launched his eponymous label, which became known for its refined tailoring and bold wearable pieces. One year prior, Lagerfeld was appointed Creative Director of the house of Chanel. It was at Chanel that Lagerfeld became a word-renowned and critically acclaimed designer. Lagerfeld received consistent praise for his ability to instil a sense of the past and inject Chanel's own vision into his collections while still pushing them into new territory, making them ever so relevant, fresh, and desirable for a clientele of all ages. Not only was Lagerfeld celebrated for his designs at Chanel, but he was also famous for his elaborate runway shows for which he would create spectacular settings such as city streets, supermarkets, and even once a rocket launching pad.

Lagerfeld was always a hard worker and was known for having a relentless work schedule. In addition to fashion, he had several other professional interests. For instance, he was a caricaturist and a photographer and photographed several Chanel campaigns. Several of his images have been published in art books. He also published a book in 2004 entitled The Karl Lagerfeld Diet about his remarkable weight loss journey.

In 2010, Lagerfeld received the Couture Council Fashion Visionary Award from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). In 2015 Lagerfeld was awarded the British Fashion Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Lagerfeld died in Paris, France, on 19 February 2019 at the age of 85.

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