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.
CHANEL 2002 "Surf Line" Red White Blue CC Wave Large Parasol Umbrella w/ Cover
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Thiensville, WI
CHANEL 2002 "Surf Line" Red White Blue CC Wave Large Parasol Umbrella w/ Cover RARE Brand / Manufacturer: CHANEL Collection: 2002 "Surf Line" Label(s): CHANEL Designer: Karl Lagerfe...
$720Sale Price|50% Off
rare FENDI Karlito 2014 Large limited pink mink fox fur bag charm keyring
By Karl Lagerfeld, Fendi
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare FENDI Karlito 2014 Large limited pink mink fox fur bag charm keyring Reference: ANWU/A00147 Brand: Fendi Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: Karlito Collection: Karlito 2014 - Runway Material: Fur, Leather Color: Multicolour Pattern: Solid Extra Details: Extremely rare and limited sold out Karlito bag charm from 2014 runway. Fox fur with leather bodice. Karl Lagerfeld with pulled back white hair with pink highlights. Black fur sunglasses...
rare FENDI Karlito purple scaled leather Karl fur cartoon applique bag strap
By Karl Lagerfeld, Fendi
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare FENDI Karlito purple scaled leather Karl fur cartoon applique bag strap Reference: WECN/A00072 Brand: Fendi Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: Karlito M...
Karl Lagerfeld Huge Gilded Gold Brooch and Pendant
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in New York, NY
Karl Lagerfeld's huge gilded gold brooch and pendant can be worn either way. Measurements are 4 1/2" in width, 2 3/8" in height and 3/8" in de...
1970s Gucci Pewter Mini Sparrow Votive Holder Desk Accessory
By Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a miniature votive holder/trinket bowl by Gucci in the 1970s. In the form of a small sparrow, this piece is made of heavy silver-toned metal a...
CHANEL Large Size Advertising Allure Perfume Display Vintage Mint
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Chanel large size advertising display with Allure perfume bottles. Excellent mint condition. Sides can be closed up.Thick cardboard frame with pictures inserted between clear plastic and 4 Allure factice bottles...
Hermes Mini Samarcande Chess Set Let's Play! Blue Indigo Lizard
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Mini Samarcande Chess Set with a dash of luxury! Featured in sapodilla wood and solid cassia wood. A mini Chess game with magne...
Antique Chinese Silk Embroidered Framed Collar
Located in Wallkill, NY
This is exquisite, stunning embroidery work on this Chinese collar. Sits is a framed shadow box. Measuring 24-7/8 in. x 28 in. x 2- 1/8 in. deep. The c...
Hermes In The Pocket Binoculars Black Swift Leather New
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers Hermes In The Pocket Binoculars featured in Black Swift leather case. Leica Ultravid with Fernglas. Compact binoculars with Black leather trim. Black Swift leather case with tone on tone stitching and Clou de Selle snaps for closure. Attached Black leather strap. Made in Germany. Comes with signature Hermes box. New or Store Fresh Condition. final sale BINOCULAR CASE...
Hermes Apollo 24 Celestial Globe Blue de Prusse
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Apollo 24 Celestial Globe featured in Blue de Prusse. Created from 12 sheathed pieces of printed leather the leather marquet...
$471
H 5.12 in W 1.19 in L 5.71 in
Hermès Pegasus Le Pégase Cheval Ailé Winged Horse in Cardboard to Hang
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Super Cute Authentic Hermès Pegasus Composed of 10 pieces of cardboard to assemble A string will allow to suspend it The assembly instructions are inside the packaging Colorways:...
Chanel Black and White Game Series Rugby Football
By Chanel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Chanel Black and White Game Series Rugby Football is in pristine condition. Rare and collectible item. PBF 13076
Hermès Ashtray Change Tray Sceau Horse Head in Vallauris Ceramic
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Extremely Rare Authentic Hermès Ashtray Called "cendrier sceau à tête de cheval" (horse head seal ashtray), because this gives the impression that the ceramic has been hot marked wi...
Hermès Golf Print Cigar Ashtray Change Tray Porcelain Gold
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Lovely Authentic Hermès Ashtray Print: golf ball, clubs and tees Made in France Vintage item Made of porcelain, edges and notches hand painted with fine gold Bottom covered with...
$2,239
H 2.13 in Dm 2.96 in
Hermès Shotgun Shells Seven Pencils Holder by Ravinet d'Enfert Bullets Shaped
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exceptional and Rare Authentic Hermès 7 Pencils Holder In shape of shotgun cartridges No datation - probably vintage The bottom of the shells is golden, the body is silvery The base of the pencils holder is covered with navy blue leather "HERMES PARIS" engraved on the hardware and Ravinet d'Enfert craftsman's hallmark "HERMÈS PARIS" in golden letters on the leather Measurements: - 5,4 cm at highest (2,12 inches) - diameter of base is 7,5 cm (2,95 inches) - inner diameter of each shell is 1,1 cm (0,43 inch) Condition: Near new condition. NO ink traces May...
Hermès Set of 2 Towels Golf Clubs and Balls Embroidered
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exceptional Authentic Set of 2 Hermès Towels This rare set includes 2 towels embroidered with a coat of arms featuring two crossed golf clubs with a ball...
CHANEL Vintage Cruise pink 100% cotton boucle CC logo fringe trim beach towel
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL Vintage Cruise pink 100% cotton boucle white CC logo fringe trim beach towel Reference: CNPG/A00135 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: Cruise line Material: Co...
Chanel Gold-Tone Metal CC Keychain, Fall-Winter 1996-1997
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Geneva, CH
From the iconic Chanel Karl Lagerfeld years, this late 80s - early 90s refined gold-tone metal CC keychain will make a perfect little gift for fans of the House. Of course, wearable ...
Karl Lagerfeld Keyring or Handbag Jewel in Gilded Metal
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Karl Lagerfeld – Keyring or handbag jewel in gilded metal. Additional information: Dimensions: Bag: 4.5 cm x 3.2 cm (1.77" x 1.26") - Chain length: 14 cm (5.51 in) Condition: Very...
CHANEL By THE SEA 31 Rue Cambon CC logo print red white short umbrella
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL By THE SEA 31 Rue Cambon CC logo print red white short umbrella Reference: TGAS/C01710 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: By T...
Karl Lagerfeld TOKI DOKI Black Matt Figure
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Paris, FR
Association with the Italian brand TOKIDOKI to represent Karl Lagerfeld faithful to his style: white shirt with funnel neck, jacket and sunglasses, all matt black and white collar. L...
KARL LAGERFELD x Tokidoki Limited Edition Figurine
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Paris, FR
Mr Chrome Figurine Karl Lagerfeld x Tokidoki Limited Edition. Creation of Simone Legno. Made of brilliant chrome. Dimensions: L 11.5 x H 25 cm It h...
Karl Lagerfeld Black Gold Tone Earrings
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Amsterdam, NL
These vintage gold tone hoop earrings are 5 cm diameter and closes with a clip. Signed KL
Chanel quilted leather datebook 2009 unused
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chanel quilted leather datebook 2009 unused...Together with a Chanel paper note book...Chocolate brown soft quilted leather with double pockets (lined in ...
Karl Lagerfeld Large Moon & Stars Fragrance Factice Display Bottle
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in University City, MO
Karl Lagerfeld Large moon and stars fragrance factice display bottle The large scale bottle is a replica of Lagerfeld's fragrance Makes a unique dec...
KARL LAGERFELD Barbie Doll Platinum Label LIMITED EDITION
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Miami, FL
Insanely fabulous Limited Edition KARL LAGERFELD Barbie Doll. Barbie sports the iconic Lagerfeld chic, right down to fingerless gloves and tie around jack...
Collectors Limited Edition Steiff Karl Lagerfeld Teddy Bear c. 2009
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in London, GB
COLLECTORS ITEM Very rare and limited edition Karl Lagerfeld Steiff teddy bear. # 01362 (Comes with certificate) - Made from high quality A...
1990's Chanel Paris Camelia Beach Towel
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
What a beauty, this early 90's Chanel beach towel is a thick terry cloth in a really rare size: 57” x 37”, an ideal size for the beach or poolside. A beautiful print of Camelia flowe...