Karl Lagerfeld was one of the top designers of the 20th ceury. His extraordinary designs and his ability to manage fashion brands made Lagerfeld’s name permane in the fashion world. In addition to his tale 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 uil the end of his life in 2019, and in his more than six decades of professional activity, he played a significa 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 io a wealthy family. He eered the field of fashion from a young age and became famous in a short time due to his unique tale and vision and attracted the atteion of the fashion world widely.
In 1954, he won the coat design category of a fashion competition and began his professional career as an assista 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 importa role in creating the modern ideity of this Italian brand and showed that it is possible to innovate boldly using new materials and methods while maiaining autheicity.
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 preseed a joi 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 commitme 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 ierval of his personal and professional life.
In the following, we review some of his most importa 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 preseed his best designs and collections in Chloe, Fendi and of course Chanel.
Save the Chanel brand
In the first quarter of the 20th ceury, 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 we 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 influeial 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 io the modern age.”
Iroduction 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 iroduced 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 improveme of the level of fashion shows in the future. Lagerfeld made fashion shows more than just a display of clothes. He created memorable momes in the fashion industry by choosing special locations and creating ieresting and gigaic 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 joi 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 Sai Laure; 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 Sai Laure; 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 importa legacy left by Karl Lagerfeld:
Chanel brand logo
The Chanel brand logo, which is iertwined 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 permane 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 ierview 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 Wiour
Sources:
www.harpersbazaar.com- www.wmagazine.com-www.vogue.co.uk- wwd.com- www.nytimes.com- www.vogue.co.uk- edition.cnn.com- www.themicompany.com- vogue.ph-myhyde.com-www.marca.com-time.com-baremagazine.org
