Who was Karl Lagerfeld? Paris, Design, Icon

Perhaps Karl Lagerfeld’s most impressive career move was taking over the creative direction of Chanel in 1983, a time when the fashion house had lost its luster. Lagerfeld breathed new life into Chanel and helped the brand regain its former glory. He refreshed the traditional Chanel jacket and brought new energy to the collections by introducing innovative designs and prominently displaying the famous Chanel logos. His shows were the eye-catchers of Paris Fashion Week.

Karl x Chanel in summer

Karl x Chanel in summer

Revolution at Fendi

Lagerfeld left his mark not only at Chanel. From 1965, he also worked as creative director at Fendi. Here, he primarily shaped the design of the fur and leather goods. The “Baguette” bag became famous under his leadership – one of the very first It bags, which still enjoys cult status today.

Lagerfeld was also employed by Balmain, Patou, Chloé and other fashion companies. More about Karl on Wikipedia.

Comeback at Chanel

Karl came back and made Chanel even bigger.

Own brand and other projects

In addition to his work for major fashion houses, Lagerfeld also founded his own label “Karl Lagerfeld”, which reflects his personal design philosophy. In addition to fashion, he also devoted himself to other artistic fields, including photography and book publications. Lagerfeld’s talent for merging art and fashion was evident in all his projects, from high-quality photo books to elaborate fashion shows.

The legacy of an icon: KARL

Karl Lagerfeld left the world far more than just clothes. He changed the way we think about fashion and his influence is still felt today. Lagerfeld passed away on February 19, 2019, but his legacy lives on in every Chanel jacket and Fendi bag. For many, he is a symbol of eternal creativity and renewal in fashion.

Karl Lagerfeld was a true master of his trade whose work will resonate in the fashion world for a long time to come. His ability to combine tradition with innovation made him an unforgettable figure in the history of fashion. His Paris apartment was sold for $10 million in 2024. His cat Choupette Lagerfeld is still alive today, well cared for. Perhaps his incredible life and work will inspire you to see fashion not just as clothing, but as an art form.

Becoming Karl Lagerfeld” is the first major series to appear on Hulu.

One of the last interviews

One of the last interviews with Karl.