Fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld dies aged 85

Iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has sadly died at the age of 85.

The German-born designer and artistic director was one of the fashion industry’s most iconic and influential figures.

Best recognised by his white ponytail and dark sunglasses, Chanel’s creative director has been hailed as one of the most prolific designers of the modern age.

It’s believed he was battling pancreatic cancer, and had suffered weeks of ill health in the lead up to his passing.

An out pour of obituaries have flooded in from various designers, celebrities and the like, as the world wakes to the devastating news.

 

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It is with deep sadness that the House of CHANEL announces the passing of Karl Lagerfeld, the Creative Director for the CHANEL Fashion House since 1983. An extraordinary creative individual, Karl Lagerfeld reinvented the brand’s codes created by Gabrielle Chanel: the CHANEL jacket and suit, the little black dress, the precious tweeds, the two-tone shoes, the quilted handbags, the pearls and costume jewelry. Regarding Gabrielle Chanel, he said, “My job is not to do what she did, but what she would have done. The good thing about Chanel is it is an idea you can adapt to many things.” A prolific creative mind with endless imagination, Karl Lagerfeld explored many artistic horizons, including photography and short films. The House of CHANEL benefited from his talent for all the branding campaigns related to Fashion since 1987. Finally, one cannot refer to Karl Lagerfeld without mentioning his innate sense of repartee and self-mockery. Alain Wertheimer, CEO of CHANEL, said: “Thanks to his creative genius, generosity and exceptional intuition, Karl Lagerfeld was ahead of his time, which widely contributed to the House of CHANEL’s success throughout the world. Today, not only have I lost a friend, but we have all lost an extraordinary creative mind to whom I gave carte blanche in the early 1980s to reinvent the brand.” Bruno Pavlovsky, President of Fashion at CHANEL, said: “Fashion show after fashion show, collection after collection, Karl Lagerfeld left his mark on the legend of Gabrielle Chanel and the history of the House of CHANEL. He steadfastly promoted the talent and expertise of CHANEL’s ateliers and Métiers d’Art, allowing this exceptional know-how to shine throughout the world. The greatest tribute we can pay today is to continue to follow the path he traced by – to quote Karl – ‘continuing to embrace the present and invent the future’.” Virginie Viard, Director of CHANEL’s Fashion Creation Studio and Karl Lagerfeld’s closest collaborator for more than 30 years, has been entrusted by Alain Wertheimer with the creative work for the collections, so that the legacy of Gabrielle Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld can live on.

A post shared by CHANEL (@chanelofficial) on Feb 19, 2019 at 5:59am PST

It was such an opportunity and a pleasure to have met you. There will never be another like you, Karl. You will be truly missed, thank you for everything ? #KarlLagerfeld pic.twitter.com/B8bgMfc50u

— S (@itsSeIGomez92) February 19, 2019

A true LEGEND with a truly beautiful spirit; Thank you Karl for so many precious memories.. honored to have known you. With so much love and admiration, Mariah ♥️ #KarlLagerfeld pic.twitter.com/XZrzuQgC7b

— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) February 19, 2019

You bought so much beauty, style and grace to this world. Karl, you will forever be a true legend, an icon, an inspiration. #KarlLagerfeld pic.twitter.com/3jNabil2Qe

— Kris Jenner (@KrisJenner) February 19, 2019

 

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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.

A post shared by Donatella Versace (@donatella_versace) on Feb 19, 2019 at 3:51am PST