Legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld dies at 85

Karl Lagerfeld has died in Paris at the age of 85. “It is with deep sadness that the house of Chanel announces the passing of Karl Lagerfeld,” the brand announced in a statement. “A prolific creative mind with endless imagination, Karl Lagerfeld explored many artistic horizons, including photography and short films. “The house of Chanel benefited from his talent for all the branding campaigns related to fashion since 1987. Finally, one cannot refer to Karl Lagerfeld without mentioning his innate sense of repartee and self-mockery.” Korean actor Lee Dong-wook is the face of Boy de Chanel Virginie Viard, Lagerfeld’s long-term right-hand collaborator, will take over the creative direction for the collections “so that the legacy of Gabrielle Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld can live on”. Born in Germany, Lagerfeld joined the French luxury maison Chanel in 1983, and led the house as creative director for more than 35 years. He also served as creative director of the Italian leather goods brand Fendi, and spearheaded his eponymous label. Why Dior, Chanel look to Douyin, China’s hot video app, to boost profiles Lagerfeld was notably absent from Chanel’s couture 2019 fashion show – held at the Grand Palais every year – where he always made it a point to greet guests and fans. In his seven-decade career, he modernised not only Chanel but fashion itself. “Once upon a time Chanel was old hat. It was only Parisian doctors’ wives who still wore it. Nobody wanted it; it was hopeless,” he said soon after he showed his first collection for the label in January 1983. Lagerfeld was a designer, an artist, a photographer and a perfectionist. He dedicated his entire life to fashion, which had an impact on numerous generations of designers. He was a revolutionary and a trendsetter. Hit the slopes in style with Giorgio Armani, Gucci and Chanel Designers, celebrities, models, editors and icons have taken to social media to mourn the death of the fashion visionary. View this post on Instagram Karl was my magic dust, he transformed me from a shy German girl into a supermodel. He taught me about fashion, style and survival in the fashion business. What Warhol was to art, he was to fashion; he is irreplaceable. He is the only person who could make black and white colourful! I will be eternally grateful to him. A post shared by Claudia Schiffer (@claudiaschiffer) on Feb 19, 2019 at 5:57am PST View this post on Instagram It was shot by you How one can describe with words losing the person he looks up to and aspires the most, source of inspiration and motivation. A true legend that never played by the rules but also set most of the ones people follow today. A person that put his heart so much into his work that the world fell in love with him for generations. You have been a school for all of us, you will always be present, reminding and defining what fashion is. Has been an honor to meet you. Au revoir à un vrai Monsieur, nous t’aimerons pour toujours. A post shared by OLIVIER R. (@olivier_rousteing) on Feb 19, 2019 at 5:50am PST View this post on Instagram Karl your genius touched the lives of so many, especially Gianni and I. We will never forget your incredible talent and endless inspiration. We were always learning from you. A post shared by Donatella Versace (@donatella_versace) on Feb 19, 2019 at 3:51am PST Lagerfeld’s death sadly came a few days before his Fendi ready-to-wear collection will be presented this Thursday at Milan fashion week. His last collection will still be presented as scheduled, Fendi has confirmed. Fendi, which is owned by French conglomerate LVMH, has not yet announced Lagerfeld’s successor. Silvia Venturini Fendi, granddaughter of the brand’s founders and its creative director for accessories and menswear, who always took a bow with Lagerfeld after Fendi shows, has been taking on more design responsibility in recent years. She is expected to take the creative leadership at Fendi. “Our relationship was very special, based on a deep and very genuine affection. We had a lot of mutual appreciation and endless respect. Karl Lagerfeld has been my mentor and my point of reference. A blink of an eye was enough to understand each other. For Fendi and myself, the creative genius of Karl has been and will always be our guiding light, moulding the maison’s DNA. I will miss him deeply and always carry with me the memories of our days together,” she said in an announcement. “I am a fashion person, and fashion is not only about clothes – it’s about all kinds of change,” Lagerfeld once famously said. Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld dies at 85

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Chanel’s iconic creative director, who led the fashion house for more than three decades, passed away in Paris on February 19

Chanel’s iconic creative director, who led the fashion house for more than three decades, passed away in Paris on February 19