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.
rare FENDI Karlito purple scaled leather Karl fur cartoon applique bag strap
By Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld
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...
Van Cleef & Arpels 1960s Dunhill 18k Solid Gold Refillable Lighter
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Discover a remarkable piece of history with the Van Cleef & Arpels 1960s Dunhill 18k Solid Gold Refillable Lighter. This exquisite lighter showcases a stunning woven design that ...
$12,500
Chanel SS19 Skateboard
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Elevate Your Ride or Decor game with Chanel’s Limited Edition Skateboard. A part of the French house’s SS19 collection, Chanel has released a luxe skateboard for those looking to add...
Hermes Bain Neobain Les Leopard Blue Marine Embossed Large Model
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an "Hermes Bain" Neobain Les Leopard case featured in the large model. In chic deep Blue Marine with Leopards embossed n front. Top zipp...
Vintage Floral Pearl & Crystal Hair Comb 1990s
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Vintage Pearl Crystal Hair Comb. The comb is designed with scrolling floral motifs set with luminous pearls and clear crystals, mounted on a metal comb with prongs for secure place...
Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Gold & White Diamond Case
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Rare and beautiful 1950s -60s Van Cleef & Arpels 18K 750 Gold case. Features a woven basket pattern with White Diamonds encrusted clasp. Total weight 136 grams Interior featur...
Antique Art Deco Crystal Hair Comb 1920s
Located in Wilmslow, GB
An Antique Art Deco Crystal Hair Comb. The comb is formed in a geometric arched design, set with graduated clear crystals and finished with a structured metal mount typical of the Ar...
Fred Paris by Gaetan de Percin Trumpet Key Chain Charm
By Fred Paris
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare Authentic FRED PARIS Key VChain Shape: Trumpet Perfect gift for a trumpet player ! This vintage FRED key chain is a part of a collection with many musical instruments. Beauti...
Hermès Pouch Case Trousse Jimetou Colonnes in Cotton GM
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Beautiful Authentic Hermès Case Called "Trousse Jimétou Colonnes" Made in France Outside made of 100% cotton toile, inside lined with Polyurethane cotto...
Porcelain Réglisse or Licorice Round Medecine Box
Located in Paris, FR
Porcelain Reglisse: Licorice (soft extract) polychrome round pill box featuring a metal frame, a flower claps, leaves painted inside and a polychrome fl...
Hermes "Pluie de H" Long Folding Umbrella With Maple Wood Cane
By Hermès
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Hermes "Pluie de H" Long Folding Umbrella with Maple Wood Cane is a sophisticated accessory that combines elegance and functionality. Crafted in sleek black, this umbrella featur...
Louis Vuitton Monogram Silver & Gold-Tone Aluminum Straw Set
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Louis Vuitton Monogram Silver & Gold-Tone Aluminum Straw Set is a sophisticated and stylish accessory perfect for elevating any outfit. Crafted with the iconic Louis Vuitton Monogram pattern, this set features a sleek combination of silver and gold-tone aluminum, giving it a luxurious and modern appeal. Its lightweight construction makes it ideal for everyday use or special occasions, adding a touch of elegance to your look. This versatile straw set can be effortlessly styled with high-end designer items such as a Chanel Classic Flap Bag, a Gucci Princetown Loafer...
Agent Provocateur Swarovski Crystal Studded Riding Crop
By Agent Provocateur
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Agent Provocateur Swarovski Crystal Studded Riding Crop/Whip is a daring and luxurious accessory that exudes both seduction and sophistication. Crafted with meticulous attention to d...