Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld was one of the most influential and celebrated fashion designers of the 21st century. He was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1933, and showed an early interest in art and design. He moved to Paris at the age of 14 and studied at the Lycée Montaigne. He began his career in fashion in the 1950s, working as an assistant to Pierre Balmain and later Jean Patou. He also freelanced for various labels, including Valentino, Krizia, and Chloé². In 1965, he joined Fendi as a creative director, where he introduced the use of fur as a fashion material and created the double F logo². In 1983, he became the creative director of Chanel, the legendary French fashion house founded by Coco Chanel. He was credited with reviving the brand's image and popularity, by introducing new elements such as tweed suits, quilted bags, and interlocking C logos. He also launched his own label, Karl Lagerfeld, in 1984, which offered a more accessible and casual line of clothing and accessories². Lagerfeld was not only a fashion designer, but also a photographer, publisher, and book collector. He shot many of his own advertising campaigns and published several books of his photographs. He also owned one of the largest private libraries in the world, with over 300,000 books². He was known for his distinctive style and appearance, which included a white ponytail, black sunglasses, fingerless gloves, and high-collared shirts². Lagerfeld died on 19 February 2019, at the age of 85, after suffering from pancreatic cancer¹. He was widely mourned and praised by the fashion industry and celebrities. He left behind a legacy of creativity, innovation, and elegance that shaped the world of fashion for decades¹.