The legacy of Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld was one of the top designers of the 20th century. His extraordinary designs and his ability to manage fashion brands made Lagerfeld’s name permanent in the fashion world. In addition to his talent for designing clothes, he was also known for his personal style, attitude, outspoken opinions and lifestyle, and inspired a new generation of designers and artists.

He served the fashion industry until the end of his life in 2019, and in his more than six decades of professional activity, he played a significant role in the success and restoration of the reputation of famous brands such as Chloe, Fendi, and above all, Chanel.

Due to the place and importance of this legend in the world of fashion, this article from Sark’s Closet Magazine is devoted to the review of Karl Lagerfeld’s legacy in order to learn more about his professional life and his influence in the fashion industry.

Career of Karl Lagerfeld

Lagerfeld was born in 1933 in Hamburg, Germany into a wealthy family. He entered the field of fashion from a young age and became famous in a short time due to his unique talent and vision and attracted the attention of the fashion world widely.
In 1954, he won the coat design category of a fashion competition and began his professional career as an assistant to Pierre Balma. After 3 years of collaboration with Balma, Lagerfeld joined Jean Pateau as artistic director in 1957 and participated in the design of 10 haute couture collections of this brand.
He also worked for the Chloe brand from 1964 and in 1965 began his long-term collaboration with the Fendi fashion house. Lagerfeld collaborated with the Fendi brand for about 54 years and during this time he designed more than 100 collections for this brand. He also played an important role in creating the modern identity of this Italian brand and showed that it is possible to innovate boldly using new materials and methods while maintaining authenticity.
But most of Lagerfeld’s fame is related to his work in the Chanel brand. In 1983, he took the helm of Chanel and started working as the chief artistic director of the brand. Despite the opposing opinions of the audience and critics, Lagerfeld was able to redefine the legacy of Coco Chanel and bring the brand to the top once again.
He also established his own brand in 1984 and presented a joint collection in 2004 in collaboration with H&M brand, which was considered an innovative move.

Karl Lagerfeld’s influence on the world of fashion

Karl Lagerfeld was one of the most iconic figures in the fashion industry and left a lasting impression on the fashion world. He was known for his unique vision, creativity and ability to innovate, and of course his commitment to excellence and throughout his career, he influenced the fashion industry by creating classic yet modern pieces.
His position in the world of fashion was so high that the Met Gala 2023 ceremony was held to pay tribute to him, with the theme “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”. Also, in 2024, the broadcast of a series called “Becoming Karl Lagerfeld” began, which depicts an interval of his personal and professional life.
In the following, we review some of his most important influences on the world of fashion:

Upgrading the standards of the fashion world

During his career in the fashion industry, Lagerfeld raised the standards of design in the fashion world by creating beautiful and unique works. He presented his best designs and collections in Chloe, Fendi and of course Chanel.

Save the Chanel brand

In the first quarter of the 20th century, Coco Chanel redefined women’s fashion and created works that provided freedom and comfort; He made his brand world famous. Although the brand was known as a successful and popular brand for years, it went downhill after the death of Coco Chanel and was on the verge of collapse in the 1980s.

When Lagerfeld joined this brand in 1983, people in the fashion industry believed that it was impossible to revive this brand. But by recreating parts of Coco Chanel’s heritage, such as tweed coats and pearl necklaces, and combining them with his own modern and innovative designs, Lagerfeld once again made Chanel one of the most iconic and influential fashion houses in the world.

Thanks to Lagerfeld, in just two years, the Chanel brand again received positive reviews, and in 1985, the New York Times wrote: “He succeeded in bringing Chanel into the modern age.”

Introduction and collaboration with models

Lagerfeld has always had a close relationship with models, and many of the world’s supermodels, including Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer, Kimura Lee Simmons, Vanessa Paradis, Kendall Jenner, Cara Delevingne, Lily Rose Depp, etc., owe their credit and success to him. Through collaboration with many emerging models, he introduced them to the fashion world and helped them on their way to fame and success.

Change and innovation in fashion shows

Another influence of Lagerfeld in the world of fashion was his creativity and innovation in holding fashion shows, which ultimately led to the improvement of the level of fashion shows in the future. Lagerfeld made fashion shows more than just a display of clothes. He created memorable moments in the fashion industry by choosing special locations and creating interesting and gigantic decors for the shows and proved many times that he was ahead of his time.

Supporting technology and innovation

Lagerfeld was always looking for innovation and using new technologies. Using social media and digital technologies, he showed the fashion industry how to keep up with the changes of time and use technology to promote and attract new customers, especially the young generation.

Creating a platform for cooperation between brands

Lagerfeld was the first haute couture designer to collaborate with a high street brand. Lagerfeld’s joint capsule collection with the H&M brand shocked the fashion world at first; But after the unique reception of this collection by the audience, it created a new approach in the fashion industry. Maybe nowadays such collaborations seem normal; But in 2004, this move from Lagerfeld was considered unexpected and innovative. In fact, he paved the way for such collaborations, and in the following years, the fashion industry saw more examples of this type of partnership and other luxury brands imitated this move.

Karl Lagerfeld memorabilia

Although they never left a specific silhouette like Dior and Yves Saint Laurent; The Lagerfeld name didn’t last, but he left another legacy in the fashion industry.

In fact, his memories are beyond the memorable fashion shows and extraordinary designs that have been worn by the most famous celebrities and on various red carpets over the years.

Although they never left a specific silhouette like Dior and Yves Saint Laurent; The Lagerfeld name didn’t last, but he left another legacy in the fashion industry.

In fact, his memories are beyond the memorable fashion shows and extraordinary designs that have been worn by the most famous celebrities and on various red carpets over the years.

In the following, we review the most important legacy left by Karl Lagerfeld:

Chanel brand logo

The Chanel brand logo, which is intertwined in the form of two letters C; Designed by Lagerfeld. After starting his career in Chanel brand, he designed this logo in order to modernize the brand. This logo, which is still the main logo of the Chanel brand, is considered one of Lagerfeld’s lasting works.

Personal style of Karl Lagerfeld

It can be said that the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name Lagerfeld; It is his own personal style. Sunglasses, white hair in a ponytail, black suit, white shirt and black gloves were the main and permanent parts of his style that made him a fashion icon.

Karl Lagerfeld brand

Another legacy left by this legend is a brand named after him. Although he stated in an interview with Vogue magazine that establishing a personal brand was not his biggest dream, his brand will always be considered a valuable legacy of this legend.

final word

By creating innovative works, managing and reviving prestigious brands and his personal style, Karl Lagerfeld not only left an indelible mark in the fashion world, but also became one of the fashion legends.

He will forever be remembered as someone who brought together culture, art and fashion. His legacy is ever-lasting and inspiring, and is a reminder of a man who redefined effort, creativity, ingenuity, and vision in the fashion industry.

“Carl was the living soul of fashion.”

Anna Wintour

Sources:

www.harpersbazaar.com- www.wmagazine.com-www.vogue.co.uk- wwd.com- www.nytimes.com- www.vogue.co.uk- edition.cnn.com- www.themintcompany.com- vogue.ph-myhyde.com-www.marca.com-time.com-baremagazine.org