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 CHANEL Puzzle blue plastic CC chip leather stitch tote bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare CHANEL Puzzle blue plastic CC chip leather stitch tote bag Reference: TGAS/E00380 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Material: Leather, Acrylic ...
CHANEL 2011 Harrods Limited Edition Cabas green PVC North South Shopper bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 2011 Harrods Limited Edition Cabas green PVC gold CC logo North South Shopper bag Reference: AEMA/A00162 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: Fall/Winter 2011 "U...
CHANEL 2008 Vintage Double Flap eggplant purple quilted lambskin bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 2008 Vintage Double Flap eggplant purple quilted lambskin bag Reference: ECLO/A00230 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: Classic Double Flap Bag Collection: 2008 Mat...
Chanel Black Caviar Medallion Tote Bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Oakland, CA
The Chanel Medallion Tote was produced in one size and measures approximately 12.5 inches in width, 10 inches in height, and 6 inches in depth, with a 6.5-inch handle drop. It was in...
rare CHANEL 2016 Runway Perfume Bottle Embroidered Denim Jumbo Single Flap bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare CHANEL 2016 Runway Perfume Bottle Embroidered Denim Jumbo Single Flap blue silver chain bag Reference: VNWG/A00002 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: Jumbo Perfume Bo...
CHANEL 2019 Runway black lambskin diamond quilted gold single side crossbody bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 2019 Runway black lambskin diamond quilted gold single side pack pouch crossbody bag Reference: VNWG/A00005 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: Side-packs Collection...
CHANEL 2010 3 Accordion Mini Flap Bag black lambskin silver CC mini bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 2010 3 Accordion Mini Flap Bag black lambskin silver CC mini bag Reference: ECLO/A00232 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: 3 Accordion Mini Flap Bag Collection: 201...
CHANEL 2019 My Precious Pearls Mini Flap Bag black lambskin crossbody bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 2019 My Precious Pearls Mini Flap Bag black quilted lambskin logo chain crossbody bag Reference: ECLO/A00231 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: My Precious Pearls M...
CHANEL 2005 Mademoiselle Ligne black lambskin kisslock clutch bag
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 2005 Mademoiselle Ligne black vertical quilting lambskin kisslock clutch bag Reference: JHDN/A00119 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: Mademoiselle Ligne Collectio...
CHANEL No.5 Perfume Pave Crystal Babushka Doll phone charm plug Set of 3
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL No.5 Perfume Pave Crystal Babushka Doll phone charm plug Set of 3 Reference: TGAS/F00009 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Material: Acrylic, Metal Color: Black, Yellow P...
1990s Vintage Red Leather Karl Lagerfeld Envelope Bag
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A timeless elegant Karl Lagerfeld red leather envelope clutch bag, straight from the iconic designer's 1990s collection. This piece is a true testament to Lagerfeld's visionary style...
A Rare 1990s Black Satin Silk Evening Minaudière Bag by Chanel
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This rare 1990s Chanel minaudière is a quintessential example of the house’s transition into modern evening luxury under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Designed for the mo...
Chanel 1999 Sac 2.55 Ecru Wool Jersey Dark Silver Shoulder Bag
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel bag model 2.55 format 24 in ecru wool jersey with horizontal quilting, 2.55 clasp with logo and shoulder strap (carried on the shoulder and crossbody) in aged silver metal cha...
CHANEL Large Boy O Case black quilted leather chain trim flat pouch clutch bag
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL Large Boy O Case black quilted leather chain trim flat pouch clutch bag Reference: TGAS/C01209 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: O Case Material: Leather Color: Bl...
Chanel 2006 Lagerfeld Black Leather 2.55 Reissue Lucky Charm Double Flap Bag
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Toronto, ON
Pre-owned Chanel 2006-2008 black 2.55 Reissue Lucky Charms Double Flap bag featuring quilted leather body with multicolour signature motif charm embellishments throughout, Ruthenium ...
CHANEL Vintage 2002 Chocolate Bar black leather logo embossed chain tote bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL Vintage 2002 Chocolate Bar black leather logo embossed chain tote bag Reference: VNWG/A00009 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: Chocolate Bar Material: Leather Colo...
Chanel Vanity bag 1986-1988
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Black quilted lamb leather oval vanity bag. Golden cc fastening and interlaced rigid chain handle. Piece with a serial number. 1986/1988 Collection under th...
CHANEL 2017 Gabrielle quilted aged calfskin CC drawstring chain backpack bag
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 2017 Gabrielle Small black quilted aged calfskin CC drawstring chain backpack bag Reference: KYCG/A00211 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: Chanel Gabrielle Backpac...
CHANEL 2019 Limited Edition En Vogue Round black cream leather crossbody bag
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 2019 Limited Edition En Vogue Round black cream leather crossbody bag Reference: TGAS/E00309 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld ...
Chanel 1997 Sac Classique Black Patent Quilted Leather Box Hand Bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel Classic series bag in quilted patent leather, box shape opened from the top with a silver metal latch with CC logo, interior with a patch pocket, wide handle for hand or shoul...
Karl Lagerfeld fan bag 1992s
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
KARL LAGERFELD -Ivory ottoman fan bag decorated with golden and silvery lace. A Collection circa 1992. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: fro...
Chanel Sac Ceinture Pochette 1990s Classique Black Leather mini Bag on belt OS
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel mini belt bag from the Timeless or Classic series in quilted leather and blackened silver metal, small flap closed with a magnetic snap top...
Karl Lagerfeld Black Top Handle Crossbody Bag
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Amman, JO
Karl Lagerfeld Black Top Handle Crossbody Bag Karl Lagerfeld structured top handle bag in black, featuring a bold front logo detail. Designed with a compact silhouette, top handle, ...
rare CHANEL Puzzle blue plastic CC chip leather stitch tote bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare CHANEL Puzzle blue plastic CC chip leather stitch tote bag Reference: TGAS/E00380 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Material: Leather, Acrylic ...
CHANEL Wild Stitch Surpique brown lambskin leather matelasse bowler bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL Wild Stitch Surpique brown lambskin leather matelasse bowler bag Reference: TGAS/F00317 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: Wild Stitch Collection: 2002-2003 Materi...
Chanel Taupe Tweed Portobello Flap Bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Chanel shoulder bag from the Fall 2013 collection by Karl Lagerfeld features quilted calfskin, interlocking CC logo, gunmetal hardware and a wool interior trim. Dust Cover and I...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Logo Orange Patent Coin Purse Mini Belt Bag
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Logo Orange Patent Coin Purse Mini Belt Bag Features: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGERFELD. - Engraved LAGERFELD on the metal plate at the front. - Orange patent ...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Silk Black Fan Top Handle Bag
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Silk Black Fan Top Handle Bag Measurements: Height: 7.28 inches (18.5 cm) Width: 6.50 inches (16.5 cm) Depth: 3.15 inches (8 cm) Strap Length: 16.92 inches (...
rare CHANEL pink 100% silk CC tear eyelash embroidery sleeping mask pouch set
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare CHANEL pink 100% silk CC tear eyelash embroidery sleeping mask pouch set Reference: TGAS/F00013 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Material: Silk Color: Pink, Black Pattern:...
CHANEL 07A Camellia Lipstick CC logo nude black gold resin purse hook
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 07A Camellia Lipstick CC logo nude black gold resin purse hook Reference: TGAS/F00010 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: 07A Material: Resin, Metal Color: Nude...
Karl Lagerfeld Transparent Handbag with Fuchsia Leather Edges
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Carnate, IT
Karl Lagerfeld Transparent Handbag with Fuchsia Leather Edges Transparent bag with fuchsia leather edges, heart-shaped closure, chain with central par...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Gold Logo Black Patent Leather Key Holder Wallet
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Gold Logo Black Patent Leather Key Holder Wallet Measurements: Height: 2.75 inches (7 cm) Width: 4.13 inches (10.5 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGER...
Navy blue structured shoulder bag Karl Lagerfeld
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Navy blue structured shoulder bag. Snap closure in the middle front under the top flap. Detachable shoulder strap. 1 inside pocket with zip closure. No fabric tag composition but the...
21st Century Karl Lagerfeld Mini Beige Geometric Envelope Clutch Bag
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This 21st Century Karl Lagerfeld mini clutch bag features a sleek, modern design with a geometric envelope shape. The bag comes in a sophisticated beige hue, offering a neutral and v...
Karl Lagerfeld Women's Black Tote Bag with Watermelon Design
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This Karl Lagerfeld bag is a large black tote with a striking and playful design on the front. The central feature is a semi-circle graphic resembling a watermelon slice, with black ...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Iconic Fan Rubber White Bag
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Iconic Fan Rubber White Bag Measurements: Height: 6 2/8 inches Width: 10 6/8 inches Depth: 1 6/8 inches Removable Strap: 59 inches (adjustable) Features: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGERFELD. - White flap clutch/ shoulder bag with embossed fan allover. - Large fan with KARL LAGERFELD logo on the flap. - Removable shoulder strap. - Inside has gold metal fan plate...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Logo Black Leather Key Holder Wallet
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Logo Black Leather Key Holder Wallet Measurements: Height: 2.75 inches (7 cm) Width: 4.13 inches (10.5 cm) Features: - 100% Authe...
Kar Lagerfeld Tokyo Green Belt Bag
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Paris, FR
Collector and never worn Karl Lagerfeld belt bag or crossbody from the Tokyo collection. Lining is made of black cotton fabric with a patch pocket. Very practical it is easily access...