Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld was a fashion designer, creative director and photographer best known for his decades-long tenure at Chanel and his signature personal style. Lagerfeld was born in Hamburg, Germany, and moved to Paris as a teenager, where he studied drawing and history. He completed secondary school at Lycée Montaigne, where he focused on drawing and design.

Lagerfeld began his fashion career in 1954 after winning a design competition sponsored by the International Wool Secretariat. His sketch led to a position with designer Pierre Balmain. He later became the artistic director at Jean Patou and freelanced for multiple labels, including Chloé and Fendi. In 1983, he became creative director of Chanel, where he was credited with reviving the brand. He also launched his own label and continued his work with Fendi, maintaining creative roles at all three houses until his death.

Notable for blending classic style with modern trends, Lagerfeld became one of fashion’s most influential figures. His final Chanel collection was shown posthumously in 2019. Outside of fashion, Lagerfeld published photography books and collaborated with brands like H&M and Vans.

Lagerfeld was famously private about his personal life but maintained a close bond with model Jacques de Bascher, who passed away in 1989.

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