Karl Lagerfeld was one of the most famous German fashion designers in history. He was born on September 10, 1933, in Hamburg, Germany, as the son of Elisabeth Bahlman and Otto Lagerfeldt. His birth name was Karl Otto Lagerfeldt. Coming from a wealthy family, he grew up surrounded by culture, education, and refinement, which strongly shaped his intellectual curiosity and artistic discipline.

Karl Lagerfeld entered the fashion world in 1963 at Chloé, the brand founded by Gaby Aghion. In 1966, he became head designer at Chloé, gaining international recognition for his romantic yet modern aesthetic. Over the years, he worked for several prestigious fashion houses including Balmain, Jean Patou, Chloé, and Krizia, establishing himself as a versatile and visionary designer.

He began working with Chanel, the iconic fashion house founded by Coco Chanel, in 1983 and transformed it into one of the defining brands of the late 20th century. By the late 1980s, Chanel had become a global phenomenon under his creative leadership. For more than 30 years, Karl Lagerfeld served as the creative force behind the brand, reinventing its classic codes while preserving its heritage.

Living in Paris, Karl Lagerfeld launched his own fragrance and clothing label called KL in the early 1980s. In 2004, this brand was sold to Tommy Hilfiger. Throughout his long career, he simultaneously designed for four major brands: Chanel, Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld, and KL. He later created the brand Karl, which was launched exclusively through the online luxury retailer Net-a-Porter.

Karl Lagerfeld also designed capsule collections for the Brazilian footwear brand Melissa for four consecutive seasons. His career and creative vision were the subject of the documentary Mode Als Religion, directed by German television journalist Martina Neuen. Often referred to as “the Einstein of fashion,” Lagerfeld was instantly recognizable for his black sunglasses, fingerless leather gloves, bold jewelry, and signature white ponytail.

An admirer of Art Deco and poetry, Karl Lagerfeld was known for his sharp intellect, boundless energy, and unconventional personality. He famously disliked cigarettes, cheese, and mobile phones. In 2004, he designed a collection for H&M, bringing high fashion to the mass market. In 2011, he created limited-edition bottles for Coca-Cola. In 2006, he released a CD titled Les Musiques Que J’aime, featuring his favorite songs. The documentary Lagerfeld Confidential was released in 2007.

Between October 10 and 15, 2010, his photography was exhibited at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris. Beyond fashion, Karl Lagerfeld expressed his creativity across many disciplines, including photography, automotive design, art, literature, crystal glassware design, and even toy design.

Always dressed in a black suit, dark sunglasses, and fingerless leather gloves, Karl Lagerfeld maintained one of the most iconic personal styles in modern culture. His minimalist yet authoritative appearance became inseparable from his public identity.

Karl Lagerfeld died on February 19, 2019, at the age of 85 at the Neuilly-sur-Seine Hospital near Paris. He left behind an unparalleled legacy, having shaped and redefined luxury fashion for more than half a century.

Source: Biyografiler.com