Karl Lagerfeld's iconic life and career in pictures
Lauren Ramsay
·4-min read
Of course, the Met Gala has an annual theme, but only individual people who had a stratospheric impact on the fashion industry have an entire event dedicated to their work.
And one of those was of course Karl Lagerfeld: arguably the most illustrious designer of our generation, who, when he died on February 19 2019, sent the entire fashion sphere into total mourning. The designer, who was still the creative director of Chanel and Fendi at the time of his death, left behind an unrivaled legacy.
From creating the iconic ‘double c’ logo, holding shows at the Great Wall of China and creating an entire book dedicated to the little black jacket, to his beloved cat Choupette, winning fashion awards with an unknown Yves Saint Laurent and creating controversy at Jean Patou. There was never a dull moment in the designer's life, and with every memory almost certainly came a black suit, white shirt with a heavily structured collar, fingerless gloves, chunky black sunglasses and his pompadour hairstyle.
The Metropolitan Museum's exhibition will offer visitors a rare insight into Karl's "unique working methodology", featuring approximately 150 pieces, along with sketches that "underscore his complex creative process and the collaborative relationships with his premières, or head seamstresses."
In light of his legacy and as the man of the moment for the Met Gala next Monday, we take a look back at the of the German designer's success.
Karl Lagerfeld's iconic life in pictures:
Karl Lagerfeld's first Chanel haute couture show
Karl's first Haute Couture designs for Chanel
After joining Chanel in '83, Karl debuted is first haute couture line in 1984, totally transforming the brand.
Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent
Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent won first prize at a fashion design show
Karl and a then-unknown YSL both won first prizes at a fashion design show in Paris. Karl won the coat category, and Yves won the dress category.
Karl Lagerfeld's 'Little Black Jacket'
Karl Lagerfeld and Linda Evangelista at Chanel's:The Little Black Jacket Event in 2012
Together with Carine Roitfeld, Karl dedicated an entire book to Chanel's little black jacket that became an iconic piece under his reign.
Karl Lagerfeld and the Fendi sisters
Karl Lagerfeld surrounded by the five Fendi sisters, heads of the Italian luxury fashion house.
Karl Lagerfeld and Choupette
Karl Lagerfeld at the 'Corsa Karl Und Choupette' Vernissage in 2015
In 2015 Karl opened the photograph exhibition 'Corsa Karl Und Choupette' for the German car manufacturer, Opel.
Karl Lagerfeld at the Met Gala
Karl Lagerfeld and actress Blake Lively at the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Met Gala in 2011
Karl posed with Blake Lively at the 2011 Alexander McQueen themed gala.
Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld at the premiere of the Magnum Ice Cream Film Series in 2011 directed by Lagerfeld
Karl directed a series of short films for Magnum Ice Cream in 2011 which premiered at New York's Tribeca Film Festival. Two years later he directed the film Once Upon A Time starring Kiera Knightly as Coco Chanel.
Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel 07/08 Cruise collection
Karl Lagerfeld Chanel Cruise show 07/08
He showcased his 07/08 collection with an iconic branded aeroplane in California
Karl Lagerfeld at Jean Patou
Karl Lagerfeld working as Jean Patou's Artistic Director, circa 1960.
He was artistic director of Jean Patou from 1958 to 1963, photographed above around 1960. He caused controversy for designing the tiniest of mini skirts the label had ever seen.
Karl Lagerfeld's Chloe SS95 show
Karl Lagerfeld backstage with supermodels during the Chloe RTW SS95 show at PFW
This iconic image shows Lagerfeld surrounded by the supermodels of the moment: Karen Mulder, Carla Bruni, Nadja Auermann, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer and Helena Christensen.
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