Fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld peacefully passed away at age 85 in Paris, France. Born to German parents in Hamburg, he started in career as an assistant to Pierre Balmain in 1955 and subsequently joined Chanel in 1983, where he spent a groundbreaking 36 years and the remainder of his life at. During that time, he also held long-term design positions at Fendi and Chloé.
Missing the Chanel Haute Couture show in January 2019, the house released a statement citing that he was “feeling tired”. Despite his deteriorating health, he was said to to be present for fittings this week for the forthcoming womenswear Chanel show on 5 May, calling to attention his lifelong work ethic.
In a 2012 VogueTV interview, he disclosed: “Why should I stop working? If I do, I’ll die and it’ll all be finished.” Also known as the ‘Kaiser’ of fashion, Lagerfeld has been accredited for reinventing and transforming Chanel into one of the largest luxury brands tantamount to stellar runways and iconic products like Chanel No. 5.
As news spread about Lagerfeld’s passing, tributes poured in all over social media. Versace’s chief designer Dontella Versace noted: “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.” Former singer and current fashion inspiration and designer Victoria Beckham mentioned: “So incredibly sad to hear this. Karl was a genius and always so kind and generous to me both personally and professionally. RIP 💔x vb”
In 1965, he joined the House of Fendi as a designer to modernise their fur line. With that in mind, he revolutionised the very essence of fur and led Fendi through five decades of pure, unwavering innovation. Pushing the boundaries of fashion, he gave life to his creations and gave life to his visionary creations with modern day flair and aesthetic fearlessness.
With the end of Karl’s era, Chanel has announced Virginie Viard, Lagerfeld’s left-hand woman, to continue his work. She first started at Chanel as an intern for haute couture embroidery in 1987 and this commenced a 32-year relationship with the brand. Although Viard has been relatively low-key in the fashion industry and on social media, she has been Lagerfeld’s closest collaborator since she entered the House four years after he was appointed Creative Director in 1983.
In an interview with ELLE, the late fashion icon disclosed that the relationship with Viard “is essential, doubled by a very real friendship and affection.” She briefly left to aid Lagerfeld at Chloé in 1992 for five years, and retuned to Chanel as the coordinator for haute couture and has stayed in the House ever since.
The fashion industry has lost an irreplaceable star whose legacy will remain an inspiration for generations to come. His tenacity and spirit will be greatly missed.
Words by Jocelyn Tan
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