Karl Lagerfeld, German designer of fashion label giant Chanel has died at the age of 85.
The cause of his death is currently unknown but speculations over his health were made after he failed to attend the haute couture show in Paris last month.
Karl got his first big break in fashion after he scored an apprenticeship with Balmain in 1955 working as an assistant to Pierre Balmain. After 36 years, he then joined Chanel to become one of the most eccentric and celebrated fashion designers of his time. But not without some controversial opinions along the way.
Alain Wertheimer, CEO of CHANEL, said: “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.”
READ MORE: Karl Lagerfeld absent for Chanel haute couture show in Paris
Instantly recognisable by his dark sunglasses and sleek back white ponytail, Karl was indeed a legend in his own right.
Many tributes from celebrities, fans and family and his most iconic muses alike have been pouring out to the icon since the news of his passing earlier in the day, showcasing just how big his influence was in the global fashion world. Read a few of the tributes below.
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Victoria Beckham took to Instagram with the caption: "So incredibly sad to hear this, Karl was a genius and always so kind and generous to me [...]"
Donatella Versace also posted a picture on her Instagram standing besides Karl captioned "Karl your genius touched the lives of so many especially Gianni and I [...]"
Celebrity hairstylist Sam McKnight also paid his respect to Karl in a IG post captioned, "Dear Karl it has been an enormous pleasure, I'm honoured to have known you".
Supermodel and muse to the famous fashion designer Iman Abdulmajid took to Twitter to pay her respects with this picture of herself and Karl captioned "The end of an era, RIP Karl"
The end of an era! RIP Karl Lagerfeld #KarlLagerfeld pic.twitter.com/gU6emIyL28
— Iman Abdulmajid (@The_Real_IMAN) February 19, 2019
Celebrated fashion designer Henry Holland too took to Twitter tweeting a famous quote made by Karl "To design is to breathe, so if I can't breath I'm in trouble"
“To design is to breathe, so if I can’t breathe I’m in trouble” RIP @KarlLagerfeld #karlargerfeld ??
— henry holland (@henryholland) February 19, 2019
Singer Lily Allen posted a picture on Instagram of herself and the mogul captioned "You made me feel like a princess, I never quite understood what you saw in me but I'm forever grateful [...]
Designer and model Alexa Chung also sent a heartfelt final goodbye to Karl in a Instagram post, "Rest in peace Karl, I remember being so scared to interview you and yet you were incredibly generous [...]"
Fashionista Yasmin Sewell made a short and sweet Instagram post dedicated to Karl simply captioned "Thank you" accompanied by a stylish picture of Karl.
South African influencer Kefilwe Mabote also celebrated the legend by impersonating him a few days before his passing.
Another one of his muses Vanessa Paradis also took to her Instagram to post a picture of herself and Karl. She captioned the post "It's been a privilege. It's true, it's privilege to be able to say you have worked with him [...]"
Twilight actress and another of Karl's muses at Chanel, Kristen Stewart fan page also posted a picture of her next to Karl captioned "Rest in peace".
Supermodel Irina Lazareanu who worked with Karl frequently, also as one of his muses, posted on Instagram a picture of them together on the runway captioned "You will be in my heart forever".
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.
The fashion world has indeed lost an icon. RIP Karl. But his memory will live on in the DNA of Chanel and the other fashion brand legacies that he helped to build.
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