It was with great sadness to hear that Karl Lagerfeld, fashion designer, and creative director, passed away on February 19, 2019, at the age of 85. A true fashion icon, Lagerfeld had a legendary career that lasted for almost 7 decades and spanned across Chanel, Fendi, and his own brand.
To maintain Chanel’s image and legacy, Virginie Viard, Lagerfeld’s closest collaborator and right-hand for over 30 years, will be taking over all creative work. Although it was a shock to the fashion industry, there were rumors of Karl Lagerfeld’s health when he didn’t attend the Chanel haute couture shows in Paris last month.
Lagerfeld’s career is extensive, but one thing that will always remain true is his love of Chanel. When he joined the brand in 1983, many colleagues warned him that the brand was losing its touch. There are a lot of things Lagerfeld did that would have shocked Chanel if she were still alive at the time, but it was necessary for its survival amongst other well-known brands. Chanel gained its modern touch because of Lagerfeld, and all of his hard work will never be forgotten.
It is heartbreaking to hear such a monumental designer has passed, but Karl Lagerfeld’s ideas and inventions in the fashion industry will live on forever, much like Coco Chanel herself.