The emperor of the fashion industry
The life and career of Karl Lagerfeld
One of the most renowned designers in fashion history, Karl Lagerfeld masterfully ran three fashion houses, created a signature style, and built a legion of devoted followers.
photo: Spotlight
Karl Otto Lagerfeld was born in Hamburg on September 10, 1933, according to the German tabloid Bild, which uncovered his baptism certificate. However, the exact year of his birth remains a mystery: Lagerfeld himself initially claimed to have been born in 1935, while his mother stated it was 1938. Karl’s father was a Swedish businessman who spoke twelve foreign languages. The designer himself mastered English, German, Italian, and French. Initially, Karl dreamed of becoming an illustrator, so he spent considerable time studying costume history books. His interest in modern fashion and a passion for clothing soon appeared.
photo: Spotlight
In 1952, Karl moved to Paris in search of work. By that time, he was already proficient in sketching and sewing garments. His first major step into the fashion world came in 1954 when he won the International Woolmark Prize by presenting a coat sketch. As part of the competition, Pierre Balmain himself made the coat based on Lagerfeld’s design and subsequently invited him to work at his fashion house.
photo: Spotlight
After gaining experience at Balmain, Karl took on the role of art director for haute couture at the Jean Patou fashion house. Although his first collection was rejected by critics and considered a failure, Lagerfeld stayed at Jean Patou for five years, creating ten more collections with mixed success.
photo: Spotlight
After leaving Patou, Karl moved to Rome to study art history and began working remotely with popular brands like Chloé, Fendi, and Tiziani. Initially, he designed only a few pieces per season for Chloé, but Gaby Aghion, impressed by his hard work and determination, entrusted him with an entire collection in October 1972. The success of this show marked the beginning of a vibrant five-year collaboration with the brand. It was during this time that style icons like Brigitte Bardot, Grace Kelly, and Jackie Kennedy became friends with Karl.
His collaboration with Fendi went down in fashion history as the longest partnership in the industry. Karl Lagerfeld not only changed the design of their fur coats but also created the iconic double-F logo that remains famous today.
photo: Spotlight
The legendary partnership with Chanel began 20 years after the death of Gabrielle Chanel. At first, the offer seemed hopeless to Lagerfeld, as the brand had lost its allure and charm over the two decades since her passing. However, from his very first collection, Lagerfeld propelled Chanel to challenge Yves Saint Laurent as the top contender in the fashion world.
In 1984, Karl finally launched his own brand. His name quickly became globally recognized, with every collection achieving success, and numerous flagship boutiques opened. However, in 2005, after more than 20 years, he sold his business to the Tommy Hilfiger Group while remaining the creative director of the brand.
photo: Spotlight
photo: Spotlight
Throughout his career, Karl never stopped or took breaks from his creative endeavors. Even in his later years, he continued to walk the runway at the end of his shows, dress celebrities, and release new collaborations. Karl Lagerfeld passed away on February 19, 2019, at the age of 85.
“Do what makes you happy. Forget about the money and other pastries that are usually considered to be a success. If you are happy working in a farm store, do it. Remember that we only have one life.” – Karl Lagerfeld
