More than a mere tastemaker, Karl Lagerfeld devoted himself to the continual pursuit of chic. “My life and my job,” the designer once said, “is to forget myself.” During his five-decade career designing shoes, handbags, evening dresses and other items for Chanel, Fendi, Chloé and many others, Lagerfeld was a quintessential chameleon, ever evolving to embody the times.
An outsize, instantly recognizable personality — his ponytail powdered like an 18th-century viscount, his eyes perpetually shielded by dark glasses, wearing fistfuls of chunky silver jewels — Lagerfeld was, above all, an avatar of style.
Born in Hamburg (in 1933, ’35, or ’38 by varying accounts), Karl Lagerfeld packed his bags for Paris in 1954. His design for a coat won him the International Wool Secretariat and landed him a job with the celebrated couturier Pierre Balmain. He went on to become the designer of Jean Patou, eventually realizing that his seemingly endless ideas could fuel a career as a designer-for-hire. As such, Lagerfeld lent his vision to everyone from Loewe and Max Mara to Krizia and Charles Jourdan, nimbly moving among a diverse range of styles. It was an unprecedented way of working in the days when freelance was still a dirty word.
During the late ’60s and ’70s, he refashioned Chloé to reflect the free spirit of the day and, beginning in 1965, joined forces with the Fendi family, taking it from sleepy furrier to fashion’s haute-est stratum. Because of his track record for reviving and reimagining brands that had grown stagnant, in 1983 Lagerfeld was handed the reins at Chanel, which had been gathering dust since its founder’s heyday.
From Lagerfeld's first Chanel collection, he injected the venerable house with a frisson of modernity. He riffed on its iconography — tweed skirt suits, pearls, camellias — accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment. Despite producing eight collections a year for Chanel, as well as four to five for Fendi, Lagerfeld never faltered in proposing new ideas each time he put pencil to paper.
Lagerfeld’s collections for Chanel, in particular, displayed his knack for synthesizing old and new, high and low. From Watteau (Spring/Summer 1985 couture) and Serge Roche (Spring/Summer 1990 ready-to-wear) to hip-hop fly girls (Fall/Winter 1991 ready-to-wear), surfers (Spring/Summer 2003 ready-to-wear) and ancient Egypt (Pre-Fall 2019), Lagerfeld used each season’s inspiration to conceive Chanel’s signatures anew.
Browse a collection of sophisticated designs by Karl Lagerfeld on 1stDibs, including handbags and evening gowns for Chanel, vintage cocktail dresses for Chloé and more.
New Fendi Karl Lagerfeld 2014 Ad Runway Fur Boots Booties Sz 37.5 With Box
By Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Conroe, TX
Fendi Calf Hair Fur Boots Karl Lagerfeld 2014 Brand New With Box * Euro: 37.5 * Stunning Rust Colored Calf Hair Boots * Wrap-Around Straps & Concealed Zip Closure at Sides * 4....
Chanel Bottines EU39 Black Wool Tweed and Chain Combat Shoes Boots UK6 US8.5
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel combat style boots in a multi-material version in quilted felt, iridescent canvas and black tweed, closed by a lace on 8 eyelets and 4 hooks, round toe in black suede, black c...
Chanel Vintage Cruise 1999 Two-Tone Beige Black Double Strap Peep-Toe Block Heel
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in London, GB
Chanel Vintage Cruise 1999 Two-Tone Beige Black Double Strap Peep-Toe Block Heel Sandals DETAILS Designer: Chanel Style: Two-tone double strap peep-toe block heel sandals Collection: Cruise 1999 (code 99C) Colour: Beige leather with black accents Heel: 3-inch curved block heel Toe: Squared peep toe Fastening: Double ankle straps with buckle closures Lining: Leather Origin: Made in Italy MEASUREMENTS Size: EU 37.5 (approx. US 7/ UK 4.5) Heel height: 7.5 cm / 3 in. Sole width: 8 cm / 3 1/8 in. Insole length: 24.7 cm / 9 3/4 in PROVENANCE & STYLE NOTES This pair belongs to Chanel’s Cruise 1999...
Karl Lagerfeld 1990s Size 6 Black Suede Leather Bondage Inspired Vintage Heels
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in San Diego, CA
Collectible vintage 90s KARL LAGERFELD black suede leather bondage inspired high heel shoes! Features three straps across the ankle with elastic at each side. Gold logo encrusted stu...
Chanel 1995s Escarpins Soie Noir EU37 Black Silk Satin Heels Pumps UK4 US6.5
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel 1995s pumps in black canvas (ottoman) salomé type with fine straps, gold metal pin buckle closure inlaid with rhinestones. Size 37FR: heel 9 cm, insole 23.7 cm. The shoes are ...
Karl Lagerfeld Red Suede Platform Pumps
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Alford, MA
Karl Lagerfeld classic platform pumps in vivid red suede with oval vamp and rounded toe. The shaped heel has an indentation near the top. Black lining with Karl Lagerfeld script labe...
Lip Stick Red Satin Monolo Blahnik Kitten Heels
By Manolo Blahnik
Located in valatie, NY
Monolo Blahnik kitten heal pumps in a lipstick red satin with red ribbon trim and a red satin button. Size EU 39, US 8, 2.25"H heels. Has Monolo Blank label and bottom is marked ''Ma...
1980 Chanel Black Silk Fabric Slingback Shoe W/Satin Bows Size 7M
By Chanel
Located in Gresham, OR
1980s Chanel classic black peau de soie silk slingback stiletto shoe with straight, high vamp and double bow detail. Size 7M.
Valentino Black Patent Sweetheart Lines Pump Shoes 37 7
By Valentino
Located in Miami, FL
Jet black patent leather Valentino black patent leather pump. Beautiful 'sweetheart' shaping around the foot with a pointed toe that is softly rounded. A classic elegant must have for any wardrobe. NEW or NEVER WORN. Comes with sleeper and box. final sale SIZE 37 USA SIZE 7...
Alexander McQueen Sculptural Metal Hill Shoes Size 40
By Alexander McQueen
Located in New York, NY
Alexander McQueen sculptural metal hill shoes New with minor flaws Size 40 IT Black Leather Sandals.Metal Trim Multi-strap & Peg-In-Hole Closure at Sides FINAL SALE
Christian Dior 2000s Neoprene Lucite Etoile Pumps
By Christian Dior
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
We know you're wishing for these Dior pumps! Circa recent 2000s, these pumps are crafted from black neoprene and feature "Dior" at the heel, a pointed toe and a 4" asymmetrical lucite wedge heel with silver...
1980s Susan Warren Edwards Red Suede Fringed and Studded Cowbow Western Boots
By Susan Bennis/Warren Edwards
Located in Gresham, OR
1980s Susan Warren Edwards Red Suede Fringed and Studded Cowboy Western Boots: Tall and narrow, these boots make a stunning entrance with their vivid red and generously studded desi...
Jimmy Choo Chad 90 Pointed Toe Red Velvet Knee High Boots 41
By Jimmy Choo
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Jimmy Choo Chad 90 Pointed Toe Red Velvet Knee High Boots size 41 Heel Height 3.75” Calf circumference 14” New, never worn outside Sold out online/in stores
F/W 2004 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Embroidered Chinoiserie Wedge 36
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting an iconic pair of taupe floral Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche wedge heels, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2004 collection, these heels debuted on the season's ...
Officine Creative Beige Leather Heel Sandals, Size 39
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: The sandals feature sand, tan color leather, open toes and heel height is 3 inches with rear silver tone zip closure. Made in Italy.
Size: 39; compare to US 8.5 - 9
Gianvito Rossi Black Suede Décolleté Peep Toe Stiletto Bootie – It 39, 2012
By Gianvito Rossi
Located in Tucson, AZ
Seen on Kate Moss, Kate Hudson, Katie Holmes and countless other fashion illuminati, these eye-catching stilettos are the stuff of legend. Said to combine...
F/W 2004 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Leopard Pony Hair 4.5" Wedge EU37
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting Tom Ford designed these sultry pony hair and red lacquer wedges for his final collection with Yves Saint Laurent. These shoes were featured on Gemma Ward...
PRADA A/W 2013 Burgundy Red Spazzolato Leather Pointed Toe Platform Oxford Shoe
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in Thiensville, WI
Prada Autumn/Winter 2013 Burgundy red spazzolato (patent/brushed) leather platform oxford. Burgundy red smoke patent (spazzolato fume) calfskin leather body. Pointed toe. Front kilti...
KARL LAGERFELD Size 12 Black Patent Leather Rubber Sole Low Top Sneakers
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in San Francisco, CA
KARL LAGERFELD sneakers in a black patent leather featuring a low top style, rubber sole, and lace-up closure. Shoe trees not included.Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: 12M/...
Chanel Escarpins Bottines EU40 Black Leather Pumps Gaiters US9
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel shoes composed of a black patent leather babydoll style pump, almond toe, 3 straps on the top of the foot and one around the ankle closed by a pin buckle, semi-compensated hee...
Fall 2005 CHANEL Runway 'The Devil Wears Prada' Thigh-High Black Leather Boots
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Munich, DE
Emily: "Are you wearing the…" Andy: "The Chanel boots? Yeah, I am." Do you remember this legendary movie scene in 'The Devil Wears Prada' from 2006? ...
Chanel Escarpins Bottines EU40 Black Leather Pumps Gaiters US9
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel shoes composed of a black patent leather babydoll style pump, almond toe, 3 straps on the top of the foot and one around the ankle closed by a pin buckle, semi-compensated hee...
Chanel Bottes EU39 Beige Suede Boots UK6 US8.5
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel boots in slightly gray beige suede, padded heel, almond toe, high shaft, closed with a long full-length rear zip. Size EU39 or UK6 and US8.5, heel 6 cm,...
Chanel Shoes Sneakers EU39 Beige Leather Camelia
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel shoes high-top sneakers in beige leather entirely covered with flowers of the same leather, almond toe in matching leather, beige and black rubber sole on the front, closure w...
Chanel Shoes Sneakers EU38 Black Leather Camelia
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel shoes high-top sneakers in black leather entirely covered with flowers of the same leather, rounded toe in black canvas embroidered with the CC logo, black rubber sole marked ...
Karl Lagerfeld Paris Carma Sneakers Size US 7.5
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Amman, JO
Karl Lagerfeld Paris Carma Sneakers , Features a slip-on style, rhinestone-covered cap toe, foam footbed and toothy sole. Material: Suede Size: US 7.5 Overall Condition: Good Interi...
Size: Size tag reads FR 35-37 (US 4-6)
Chanel By Karl Lagerfeld Runway Snow Boots, Fall-Winter 1993
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Geneva, CH
Modelled by Claudia Schiffer on the runway show (see picture 3), whether you are on the slopes or crossing snowy city streets, FW1993 Chanel's Moon Boots ar...
Size: Size tag reads FR 35-37 = IT/EU
Chanel By Karl Lagerfeld Runway Snow Boots, Fall-Winter 1993-1994
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Geneva, CH
Whether you are on the slopes or crossing snowy city streets, FW1993-1994 Chanel's Moon Boots are such a stylish (and iconic !) way to brave the cold ! Made from black quilted synthetic canvas and panelled with rubber, the soles are gripped to help you negotiate icy ground. Recognizable classic Chanel gold metal and cord chain wrap-around laces for an adjustable fit. Wear them after skiing to keep your feet warm and dry. Picture 3 shows Christy Turlington modeling Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel FW1993-1994 collection. Size & fit : Size tag reads FR 35-37 -> IT/EU 34-36 / US 4-6 / UK 1-3 Outer sole length approx. 25.5 cm (10.04 inches) Total length approx. 31 cm (12.2 inches) Credit photos : Pictures n° 3 -> Christy Turlington by Michel Arnaud...
Size: Italian shoes size 40 (US 10)
Unworn Chanel Runway Leather & Nylon Logo Ankle Boots, Fall-Winter 2000
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Geneva, CH
From the early Chanel Sport line and worn by Erin O'Connor at the fashion show (look n° 6/see picture 3), these never worn Chanel ankle boots have been made in Italy from white nylon...
CHANEL Black Lambskin Leather Camellia Rosette Velvet Trim Ballet Pump Heels
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Thiensville, WI
CHANEL Black Lambskin Leather Camellia Rosette Velvet Trim Ballet Pump Heels Brand / Manufacturer: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Marked Size: 37 Styl...