The Life of Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld  was a German creative director, fashion designer, artist and caricaturist.  He was born in German in 1933, but lived much of his life in France.  He never gave the exact year of his birth, wanting to be younger than he actually was.  His parents were middle class, although he wanted the public to believe his parents were from royalty.

Lagerfeld was director of the French fashion house  Chanel, a position he held from 1983-death.  He was also creative director of the italian fur and leather goods fashion house, Fendi.  He was recognizable for his signature white hair, black sunglasses, fingerless gloves and a high starched detachable collar.

In 1955 while in Paris, Lagerfeld won a coat design competition.  Here he befriended Yves Saint Laurent.  Later he apprenticed with Pierre Balmain.  In the 1980's, Lagerfeld was hired by Chanel, which was a brand considered nearly dead, after Coco Chanel died.  Lagerfeld brought it back to life, making its ready to wear fashion line a huge success.

His life and career was not without controversy.  He loved using fur in his designs, and at one fashion show PETA threw a tofu pie at him in protest.  However, it missed its mark, and hit Calvin Klein, who never used fur, instead.  PETA considered it friendly fire.  Lagerfeld was also accused of being fatphobic, Islamophobic and opposed the me too movement.

Karl Lagerfeld died of pancreatic cancer after a brief illness.