In memory of Karl Lagerfeld (1933 – 2019)
A legend who sat at the helm of Chanel for over three decades and also the creative director for Fendi alongside his namesake label, Karl Lagerfeld is, without dispute, the "King of Fashion" of this era.
And it brings great sadness to announce that the king has just passed away at the age of 85 in Paris. Since missing the finale walk of his last Chanel show, speculations were heavy that the designer was bedridden for several weeks.
A truly irreplaceable figurehead in fashion, Karl is known for his creative longevity as he continued to push out amazing shows and collections for 36 years.
From the Chanel grocery store to the airport, lifesize space rocket and even a massive waterfall in Grand Palais, he has never cease to amaze its guests at Chanel.
For a visionary like him, fashion is his life as he once famously said that to design is to breathe and "so if I can’t breathe, I’m in trouble".
Tributes are now flooding on Instagram from the fashion world's biggest personalities including Linda Evangelista who says, "💔 Karl... Great love of my life. 💔".
Eva Chen says, " I didn’t know him well but in my fleeting encounters with him, he had a wicked wit... and a true fashion legend" while Donatella Versace says, "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."
On an official statement, Alain Wertheimer, CEO of CHANEL, says, “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.”
Also in the statement, Chanel states that "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."
At last, we would like to offer our deepest condolences to Karl's friends and family; and will always remember this legend for the inspiration he has given us.
Paris will not be the same without you. Goodbye, Karl.
