Like Coco Chanel, the woman who founded the Chanel fashion label he helmed for almost four decades, Karl Lagerfeld was one of fashion's all-time greats.
Born in 1933 in pre-war Germany, Lagerfeld started his career in Paris, working his way up the notoriously slippery ranks of the fashion industry, via Fendi and Chloe, to become one of the most recognisable industry figures. Known for his tireless work ethic, he continued designing right up to his death, which was announced today. He was 85 years old.
It wasn't just his signature ice-white ponytail, black shades and all-black outfits that made him a distinctive figure. He was a cultural magpie, revitalizing Chanel's signature pastel suits with zeitgeisty touches. In the early 90s, hip-hop influences bedazzled his runway; a few years later, Kate Moss was sporting an LA cool-girl grunge outfit with pastel pink hair.
"Fashion without wit is disastrous," he once said—his sense of adventure and humor paid off. His efforts revitalized the iconic brand, placing it among the most prestigious labels well into the 21st century. He is estimated to have had a net worth of between $200-$250 million.
He was adept at spotting talent on and off the catwalk. His relationships with the best models of the moment often became so long-lasting that they were intergenerational—he had ushered the children of supermodels, such as Cindy Crawford's daughter Kaia Gerber, down his catwalks. He encouraged design talent too—everyone from ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham to the Swedish fashion brand H&M gained credibility through his magic touch.
He loved the high drama and theater of fashion, becoming known for the blockbuster production values of his catwalk shows. In 2010, he imported a giant iceberg from Scandinavia into Paris; in 2017, models paraded under a huge replica of the Eiffel Tower.
Alongside fashion, he was also a talented photographer, shooting his own ad campaigns. He was one of the most talented draughtsman in fashion, and his book collection was so vast that he opened up a bookshop in Paris in 1999.
To celebrate his extraordinary impact on the fashion landscape, Newsweek has picked out some of his most iconic fashion moments over seven decades, from design competitions to the latest Chanel show late last month.
Karl Lagerfeld after winning the coats category in a design competition sponsored by the International Wool Secretariat, Paris, December 14 1954. With him is a model wearing his design. The competition win led to Lagerfeld...Karl Lagerfeld after winning the coats category in a design competition sponsored by the International Wool Secretariat, Paris, December 14 1954. With him is a model wearing his design. The competition win led to Lagerfeld being hired as assistant to Pierre Balmain.Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
French model Ines de la Fressange presents a creation by German designer Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel during the autumn-winter 1984/1985 ready-to-wear collection show on March 26, 1984 in Paris.French model Ines de la Fressange presents a creation by German designer Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel during the autumn-winter 1984/1985 ready-to-wear collection show on March 26, 1984 in Paris.PIERRE GUILLAUD/AFP/Getty Images
A model shows a night-blue cellophane velvet three-piece suit, trimmed with dark zibeline, in July 1983 during the presentation of Fall-Winter 1983-1984. A model shows a night-blue cellophane velvet three-piece suit, trimmed with dark zibeline, in July 1983 during the presentation of Fall-Winter 1983-1984. PIERRE GUILLAUD/AFP/Getty Images
Karl Lagerfeld discusses with top model Ines de la Fressange the last details of the preparation of 1987-88 Autumn-Winter ready-to-Wear collection shows. Karl Lagerfeld discusses with top model Ines de la Fressange the last details of the preparation of 1987-88 Autumn-Winter ready-to-Wear collection shows. PIERRE GUILLAUD/AFP/Getty Images
Ines de la Fressange presents a creation by fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel fall-winter ready-to-wear, on July 26, 1987 at the Champs Elysees theater in Paris. Ines de la Fressange presents a creation by fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel fall-winter ready-to-wear, on July 26, 1987 at the Champs Elysees theater in Paris. PIERRE GUILLAUD/AFP/Getty Images
nes de la Fressange presents a creation by fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Spring-Summer 1988 ready-to-wear collection, in Paris on October 19, 1987. nes de la Fressange presents a creation by fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Spring-Summer 1988 ready-to-wear collection, in Paris on October 19, 1987. PIERRE GUILLAUD/AFP/Getty Images
Claudia Schiffer wears a transparent bodice and skirt of crinkled plastic, styled by Karl Lagerfeld, during the 1993 Spring-Summer Haute Couture collection by Chanel. Claudia Schiffer wears a transparent bodice and skirt of crinkled plastic, styled by Karl Lagerfeld, during the 1993 Spring-Summer Haute Couture collection by Chanel. PIERRE GUILLAUD/AFP/Getty Images
Claudia Schiffer presents a bridal gown at the end of the Chanel 1993/94 Fall/Winter haute couture collection by Karl Lagerfeld. The gown is a sleeveless white corset-dress with a large, off-white, mohair cape. Claudia Schiffer presents a bridal gown at the end of the Chanel 1993/94 Fall/Winter haute couture collection by Karl Lagerfeld. The gown is a sleeveless white corset-dress with a large, off-white, mohair cape. PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images
Naomi Campbell displays a short lace dress worn with a hat made of feathers during the presentation of Chanel's 1994 Spring/Summer haute couture collection.Naomi Campbell displays a short lace dress worn with a hat made of feathers during the presentation of Chanel's 1994 Spring/Summer haute couture collection.GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images
A model displays a black jacket and a black waistcoat embroidered with a white cotton, and trousers styled commando designed by Karl Lagerfeld for 1994/95 Autumn/Winter ready-to-wear collection of Chanel. A model displays a black jacket and a black waistcoat embroidered with a white cotton, and trousers styled commando designed by Karl Lagerfeld for 1994/95 Autumn/Winter ready-to-wear collection of Chanel. PATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images
Kristen McMenamy displays a creation designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the presentation of Chanel's 1994 Fall-Winter high fashion collection on July 19, 1994 in Paris.Kristen McMenamy displays a creation designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the presentation of Chanel's 1994 Fall-Winter high fashion collection on July 19, 1994 in Paris.PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images
Naomi Campbell presents a new creation by French fashion house Chanel on October 17, 1994 as part of the Spring-Summer ready-to-wear collections. Naomi Campbell presents a new creation by French fashion house Chanel on October 17, 1994 as part of the Spring-Summer ready-to-wear collections. GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images
A model displays a black wool-crepe peplum jacket designed by Karl Lagerfeld during in preparation of the upcoming 1995 Spring-Summer high fashion collections of Chanel in Paris.A model displays a black wool-crepe peplum jacket designed by Karl Lagerfeld during in preparation of the upcoming 1995 Spring-Summer high fashion collections of Chanel in Paris.PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images
Chanel's Fall/Winter 1995 show.Chanel's Fall/Winter 1995 show.PAT/ARNAL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Kate Moss presents a creation for Karl Lagerfeld as part of the 1996 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear collection in Paris.Kate Moss presents a creation for Karl Lagerfeld as part of the 1996 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear collection in Paris.GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images
Linda Evangelista at Chanel's Fall/Winter 1995 show.Linda Evangelista at Chanel's Fall/Winter 1995 show.Alexis DUCLOS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Karl Lagerfeld poses with models on July 9, 1996 at the end of the Chanel ready-to-wear Fall-Winter 1996/1997 collection show, in Paris.Karl Lagerfeld poses with models on July 9, 1996 at the end of the Chanel ready-to-wear Fall-Winter 1996/1997 collection show, in Paris.PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images
Yasmeen Ghauri displays a black swimsuit designed by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel as part of his 1997 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear collection on October 14, 1996 in Paris. Yasmeen Ghauri displays a black swimsuit designed by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel as part of his 1997 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear collection on October 14, 1996 in Paris. ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
Karl Lagerfeld trims white satin "matador" ensembles with floral piping at collar and pockets for Chanel's Spring-Summer 1996 ready-to-wear collection presented in Paris.Karl Lagerfeld trims white satin "matador" ensembles with floral piping at collar and pockets for Chanel's Spring-Summer 1996 ready-to-wear collection presented in Paris.PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images
aren Elson is the Chanel bride in black with a fabric strip headdress on July 10, 1997 at the end of the 1997-98 Fall-Winter high fashion collection presented in Paris by German stylist Karl Lagerfeld.aren Elson is the Chanel bride in black with a fabric strip headdress on July 10, 1997 at the end of the 1997-98 Fall-Winter high fashion collection presented in Paris by German stylist Karl Lagerfeld.THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images
Linda Evangelista and other models during the presentation in Paris of Chanel's Spring-Summer 98 ready-to-wear collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld.Linda Evangelista and other models during the presentation in Paris of Chanel's Spring-Summer 98 ready-to-wear collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld.PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images
Kate Moss (4th L), French Laetitia Casta (2nd L) and other models during the presentation in Paris of Chanel's Spring-Summer 98 ready-to-wear collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld. Kate Moss (4th L), French Laetitia Casta (2nd L) and other models during the presentation in Paris of Chanel's Spring-Summer 98 ready-to-wear collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld. PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images
Karl Lagerfeld appears on the catwalk after the 1999 Spring/Summer haute couture show of the Chanel fashion house in Paris.Karl Lagerfeld appears on the catwalk after the 1999 Spring/Summer haute couture show of the Chanel fashion house in Paris.PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images
Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel leads Japanese model Devon Aoki wearing a wedding dress during the autumn/winter 2000-2001 Chanel collection in Tokyo.Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel leads Japanese model Devon Aoki wearing a wedding dress during the autumn/winter 2000-2001 Chanel collection in Tokyo.TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images
Natalia Vodianova presents a creation for Chanel 10 March 2003 during the autumn-winter 2003-04 ready-to-wear collections in Paris. Natalia Vodianova presents a creation for Chanel 10 March 2003 during the autumn-winter 2003-04 ready-to-wear collections in Paris. JEAN-PIERRE MULLER/AFP/Getty Images
Karl Lagerfeld greets the crowd at the end of the Chanel Spring/Summer 2005 Haute Couture collection presentation in Paris.Karl Lagerfeld greets the crowd at the end of the Chanel Spring/Summer 2005 Haute Couture collection presentation in Paris.FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images
A model presents a creation by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel's Fall-Winter 2009 Haute Couture collection show in Paris on July 1, 2008. A model presents a creation by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel's Fall-Winter 2009 Haute Couture collection show in Paris on July 1, 2008. FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images
Models walk the runway during the Chanel Cruise 2010 Fashion Show on May 14, 2009 in Venice, Italy. Models walk the runway during the Chanel Cruise 2010 Fashion Show on May 14, 2009 in Venice, Italy. Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
The Chanel show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2014-2015.The Chanel show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2014-2015.Getty Images
The Chanel show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2015.The Chanel show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2015.Getty Images
Lily-Rose Depp walks the runway during the Chanel Spring Summer 2017 show as part of Paris Fashion Week.Lily-Rose Depp walks the runway during the Chanel Spring Summer 2017 show as part of Paris Fashion Week.Getty Images
Kendall Jenner walks the runway during the Chanel Spring Summer 2017 show as part of Paris Fashion Week.Kendall Jenner walks the runway during the Chanel Spring Summer 2017 show as part of Paris Fashion Week.Getty Images
A model presents a creation for Chanel during the 2018 spring/summer Haute Couture collection fashion show.A model presents a creation for Chanel during the 2018 spring/summer Haute Couture collection fashion show.PATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images
South Sudanese-Australian model Adut Akech presents a creation by Chanel during the 2018-2019 Fall/Winter Haute Couture collection fashion show at the Grand Palais in Paris, on July 3, 2018.South Sudanese-Australian model Adut Akech presents a creation by Chanel during the 2018-2019 Fall/Winter Haute Couture collection fashion show at the Grand Palais in Paris, on July 3, 2018.ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images
Models laugh and walk on the sand as they present creations by Chanel at the end of the Spring-Summer 2019 Ready-to-Wear collection fashion show at the Grand Palais in Paris.Models laugh and walk on the sand as they present creations by Chanel at the end of the Spring-Summer 2019 Ready-to-Wear collection fashion show at the Grand Palais in Paris.BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images
A model walks the runway during the Chanel Spring Summer 2019 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 22, 2019.A model walks the runway during the Chanel Spring Summer 2019 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 22, 2019.Getty Images
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