Farewell to Karl Lagerfeld, one of the greatest fashion designers ever

The great fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, nicknamed “Kaiser” for his enormously influential role in the fashion world, passed away today in Neuilly-sur-Seine at the age of eighty-six. Born in Hamburg on Sept. 10, 1933, Lagerfeld, famous even outside fashion circles for his singular image (white hair pulled back in a ponytail, black suit, white turtleneck shirts, half gloves and dark glasses) so much so that he has become something of a pop icon, has given much to fashion. Born to a Swedish-born German banker father and a German mother, Lagerfeld moved to Paris in his early twenties and began his career as an assistant to Pierre Balman after winning a coat-making competition in 1955. Three years later, Lagerfeld went to work at Jean Patou, where he was tasked with designing two collections per season. His first haute couture collection was presented in July 1958: at the time, Lagerfeld was using the pseudonym Roland Karl, although he would begin using his real name shortly thereafter.

In the 1960s he went out on his own and began working as a consultant for Chloé (starting in 1964), a fashion house for which he made clothes for many years, and in parallel he also carried on an intense activity as a costume designer (he designed costumes for La Scala in Milan, the Burghteater in Vienna, and the Salzburg Festival). International fame came only in the 1980s, when he founded his own Lagerfeld label in 1980: however, this did not prevent him from collaborating with other houses, for example with H&M, Chanel, Diesel, Fendi and others. Still, his versatility also allowed him to successfully pursue the profession of photographer.

Currently, Lagerfeld still held the position of artistic director of Chanel brand, which he helped to relaunch with his work: now, after his passing, the position will be taken over by Virginie Viard, as the fashion house has already announced.

Farewell to Karl Lagerfeld, one of the greatest fashion designers ever

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