Superstar fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has died, aged 85, in Paris.
The German designer, who was the creative director for Chanel and Fendi, was one of the industry’s most prolific figures in the industry, and worked up until his death.
Lagerfeld also designed collections for his own brand.
The designer had been unwell for several weeks, and had missed a number of fashion shows.
Many fashion industry heavyweights have paid tribute to Lagerfeld, including Italian designer Donatella Versace.
Designer Henry Holland posted a tribute on social media, using one of Lagerfeld’s own quotes.
Early life
He was born Karl Otto Lagerfeldt in 1933 in pre-war Germany. Lagerfeld changed his original surname from Lagerfeldt, because he believed it sounded “more commercial”.
He emigrated to Paris as a young teenager, and became a design assistant for Pierre Balmain, before working at Fendi and Chloe in the 1960s.
But the designer was best known for his association with the French label Chanel.
He began his long career with the fashion house in 1983, a decade after Coco Chanel died. Lagerfeld’s designs added glitz to the prim tweed suits of what is now one of the world’s most valuable couture houses.
Lagerfeld worked tirelessly, simultaneously churning out collections for LVMH’s Fendi and his label, up until his death.
He also encouraged new designers, like Victoria Beckham, who praised him for his kindness.
Lagerfeld was known for his distinctive look in his later years, regularly wearing dark suits, a pony-tail and tinted sunglasses.
Lagerfeld said of his appearance: “I am like a caricature of myself, and I like that.”
Source: BBC
