Artist Beginnings
Karl Lagerfeld was born in 1933 in Germany. At 14, he moved to Paris and studied drawing and history.
Award-Winning
In 1955, Lagerfeld began his career by winning the International Wood Association design competition for his sketch of a coat. Then, he was hired as an assistant by Pierre Balmain, who also produced the jacket.
Moving Up
After three years with Balmain, Lagerfeld became the art director of Jean Patou where he created two haute couture collections per year.
New Chapter
Lagerfeld began working with French clothing brand Chloé in 1964.
Forever Fendi
In 1965, Lagerfeld joined Italian fashion house Fendi to design clothing and accessories.
Becoming an Icon
Lagerfeld was named the creative director of Chanel in 1983, only a decade after Coco Chanel died and only five years after the label's first ready-to-wear collection. He remained with the brand until his death on Feb. 19, 2019.
Making His Mark
Lagerfeld launched his own label that focused on "intellectual sexiness" in 1984.
Expanding Horizons
In 1999, Lagerfeld opened the 7L bookstore in Paris. He later went on to create the EDITIONS 7L publishing house which focused on photography books.
Divine Denim
Renzo Rosso, the founder of Diesel, partnered with Lagerfeld to create a special denim collection. It debuted during Paris Fashion Week in 2002.
Iconic Designs
Lagerfeld also become a costume designer for Callas Forever as well as productions of Les Troyens by Hector Berlioz at Milan's La Scala theatre, Komödie der Verführung by Arthur Schnitzler at the Burgtheater in Vienna and Der Schwierige by Hugo von Hofmannsthal at the Salzburg Festival. He also created outfits for Madonna's Re-Invention tour and Kylie Mingoue's Showgirl tour.
Designing for the Masses
Lagerfeld's collection with H&M was a smash success in 2004. He offered a range of clothing men and women which sold out in only two days.
Beyond Fashion
Outside of fashion, the designer also wrote a diet book, The Karl Lagerfeld Diet, after he lost more than 90 pounds.
Fashion Meets Photography
As a photographer, Lagerfeld produced Visionaire 23: The Emperor's New Clothes, a series of nude pictures of models and celebrities. He also photographed Mariah Carey for her 2005 V Magazine cover.
Creative Innovation
Lagerfeld created an iconic teddy bear for Steiff in 2008. The bear sold for $1,500.
Celebrating an Icon
Lagerfeld was awarded The Couture Council Fashion Visionary Award by the Couture Council of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2010.
Fashion Forward
In 2010, Lagerfeld created two footwear collections for Hogan.
Crystal Perfection
Lagerfeld partnered with Swedish company Orrefors to create a collection of glassware with a minimalistic aesthetic in 2011.
Power Partnership
Lagerfeld joined forces with Macy's to create a capsule collection in 2011.
Honoring a Legend
In 2011, Lagerfeld was given the Gordon Parks Foundation Award for his career achievements in design, photography and filmmaking.
Revolutionary Costume Design
Lagerfeld created costumes for the Brahms-Schöenberg Quartet production at the Opéra Bastille in Paris at the request of choreographer and director Benjamin Millepied.