Karl Lagerfeld You Will be Missed | Tribute to an Iconic Creator

"I’m very much down to earth, just not this earth.” - Karl Lagerfeld


^{Karl Lagerfeld. Self-portrait with Choupette. "I never expected to fall in love like this, with a cat." Photo: @vmagazine}
 
Karl Otto Lagerfeld (10 September 1933 – 19 February 2019) was one of the greatest and most influential designers of the 21st century. An iconic, universal symbol of style. Often called "Kaiser Karl" he was a creative director, fashion designer, artist, photographer. His team at Karl Lagerfeld describes him as "Passionate, powerful and intensely curious. A universal symbol of style.", "The original fashion guru on the future’s edge."

In addition to his own label, Karl Lagerfeld was a major creative force behind such well-known brands as Balmain, Jean Patou, Tommy Hilfiger, Chanel, and Fendi.

He starts his career as Balmain's assistant in Paris and shortly thereafter became the head designer for Jean Patou. In the 1960s he was hired by Fendi to become by the 1980s a major star in the fashion world. Lagerfeld kept company with other major stars, including his good friend Andy Warhol.

In the 1980s, Lagerfeld was hired by Chanel, which was considered a "near-dead brand" at the time since the death of designer Coco Chanel a decade prior: “When I took over Chanel, everybody said to me, ‘Don’t touch it. It’s dead. There’s nothing you can do.’ And I said to myself, ‘I love that people think that. Now let’s see." 

In 1984, a year after his start at Chanel, he launched his own eponymous "Karl Lagerfeld" brand.

<sup>In 1983, Lagerfeld joined the ailing fashion house of Chanel as creative director. In 1984, he presented his first couture collection for the brand. Getty Images

Lagerfeld began designing for Fendi in 1965 and posed for this picture with the five Fendi sisters – (from left to right) Franca, Carla, Anna, Paola, Alda – in 1984. He launched his own eponymous label the same year. Getty Images</sup>

 ^{Helmut Newton, Karl Lagerfeld's 1st Chanel Haute Couture, Hollywood 1983 | Sale price: £ 4,750 ($ 6,076) at Phillips}

Interior Design

Quite recently Karl Lagerfeld worked on interior projects. His works included Monaco's Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, Paris's Hôtel de Crillon, Sofitel SO Singapore, The Grand Lisboa Palace resort and casino in Macau, China, set to open later this year.

Said interior designer Elnaz Namaki of Elnaz Namaki Studio in London. "His architectural legacy lives on in the two Les Grands apartments in Hotel de Crillon in Paris, whose striking elegance and spirit epitomize everything Lagerfeld touched".


^{South Tower lobby. Rendering courtesy of the Trump Group.}


Fashion Designers and Celebrities Pay Tribute to Karl Lagerfeld

Celebrities and fellow designers honored the man who dressed them, befriended and inspired them. Here are some of their tributes:


Valentino Garavani

"Part of my youth went away with you," writes Mr. Valentino. "With whom can I now laugh and remember those happy and carefree moments spent at Fiacre or Flore, our first hopes, you at Balmain and me at Desses… And our arrivals in Rome, where I opened my first Maison de Couture, and where you arrived to Tiziani, a Roman couture house. You, who made me promise—unsuccessfully—never to withdraw."

^{Instagram @realmrvalentino}


Donatella Versace

"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."


^{Instagram @donatella_versace}

Cindy Crawford

"@karllagerfeld your incredible talent and joie de vivre will be missed by all of us who love fashion and you ?"

^{Instagram @cindycrawford}


Pietro Beccari, Chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture

“Karl has been for me much more than just someone I worked with. He entered our life as a tornado and we became friends. Many words will be said about his talent and genius, but I would like to single out his profound culture. Indeed, you could speak with him for hours about any subject and he always had his well-informed point of view. ...He leaves a huge empty gap in the world of fashion and we will miss him a lot.”

^{Instagram @dior}


Claudia Schiffer

"Karl was my magic dust, he transformed me from a shy German girl into a supermodel. He taught me about fashion, style and survival in the fashion business. What Warhol was to art, he was to fashion; he is irreplaceable. He is the only person who could make black and white colourful! I will be eternally grateful to him."

^{Instagram @claudiaschiffer}


Vittoria Ceretti

“I woke up in the middle of the night and started drawing this dress for you. The next day I brought the paper in at Chanel and I told them ‘this is either for Vittoria or we’re not doing it’ “

This is what Karl told me the last time I saw him in Paris at the fitting, wearing the bride dress. Just like every other time with him , my heart was fulfilled with love, happiness and honor. Karl will forever be an inspiration to all of us and the fashion industry will NEVER be the same without him. My heart is broken and I don’t know what else to say. ❤️ just thank you"

^{Instagram @vittoceretti}


Olivier Rousteing

"it was our moment.
Such a privilege to be able to share few but very special moments with you ?
Thank you for your  advices

you will always be remembered.
Love U Karl
#karllagerfeld"
^{Instagram @olivier_rousteing}

Kaia Gerber

"Karl, this is for you. you taught us to be strong and today we celebrate your legacy. I am so beyond proud of everyone @fendi for another beautiful & emotional collection. today we spread love on your behalf, the show must go on"

^{Instagram @kaiagerber}


This article has been inspired by the legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld who said: "Embrace the present and invent the future.".

Karl, You will be Missed! Thank you for the immense inspiration! 

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