On 19 February, Karl Lagerfeld, one of the most influential designers of the 20th and 21st century died aged 85 in Paris. His impact on modern luxury fashion is immeasurable, with longstanding careers as both Creative Director of Chanel, since 1983, and of Fendi, since 1965, reviving the former by re-imagining the tweeds and tailored suits of Coco Chanel’s reign. He also founded his own line, Karl Lagerfeld, in 1984, and was largely responsible for introducing the concept of ready-to-wear to the world through a stint at Chloe in the ‘70s.
In each case, his distinct approach to design has trickled down to the masses, beginning its journey on the now-legendary runway sets that the designer would imaginatively conceive. From an iceberg shipped from Scandinavia to Tokyo for the Autumn/Winter 2010 Chanel show, to a runway winding the Great Wall of China for Fendi Autumn/Winter 2008, the fantastical shows Karl Lagerfeld dreamed-up will go down in history.
Editor
Alice Riley-Smith