description Karl Lagerfeld Overview
Karl Lagerfeld (1933–2019) was a German designer who served as creative director of Chanel from 1983, Fendi from 1965, and his own label, Karl Lagerfeld, from 1984. He was known for revitalizing Chanel through reinterpretation of its house codes and for prolific output across houses simultaneously. He photographed his own campaign imagery for much of his career.
insights Ranking position
Karl Lagerfeld ranks #3 of 127 in the Fashion Designer ranking, behind Alexander McQueen, ahead of Christian Dior.
help Karl Lagerfeld FAQ
When did Karl Lagerfeld become the creative director of Chanel?
Karl Lagerfeld took over as creative director of Chanel in 1983. He is widely credited with revitalizing the historic but struggling brand by boldly reinterpreting its classic codes for a modern audience.
Which major fashion houses did Karl Lagerfeld design for simultaneously?
In addition to Chanel and his own label founded in 1984, Lagerfeld was the creative director of the Italian fur and leather house Fendi starting in 1965. His prolific output across multiple global luxury brands simultaneously was virtually unprecedented in the industry.
What was Karl Lagerfeld's signature personal style?
Lagerfeld was famous for his instantly recognizable uniform consisting of a white powdered ponytail, dark sunglasses, and high-collared black suits. He reportedly lost around 90 pounds in the early 2000s specifically to fit into the slim-cut designs of the fashion label Dior Homme.
How did Karl Lagerfeld modernize the Chanel brand?
He famously playfully subverted the brand's traditional aesthetics by weaving the iconic interlocking "CC" logo into unexpected streetwear and accessories. His designs continuously blended Chanel's historic tweeds with edgy, contemporary youth culture.
explore Explore More
Similar to Karl Lagerfeld
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
