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.
KARL LAGERFELD Large Starfish Brooch, 1980's
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mermaid treasure! Magnificent 1980's gold plated starfish brooch by Karl Lagerfeld with three dimensional lattice details and faux pearl embellishment. The attention to detail and ...
Gilt Metal
Karl Lagerfeld Vintage Large Navy Sun Moon Stars Pearl Circle Crystals Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Wokingham, England
Karl Lagerfeld Vintage 1980s Large Navy Blue Enamel Circle Round Sun Moon Stars White Pearl Crystals Romantic Brooch, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. 100% Genuine. Rare to find....
Gold Plate
Iconic Karl Lagerfeld French Chair Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in New York, NY
Iconic and charming Karl Lagerfeld French Chair Brooch from his "Furniture" Series of 18th Century designs. This brooch depicts a lyre back chair with the...
Gilt Metal
KARL LAGERFELD Vintage Gold Tone Cherub Brooch Pin
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Nice, FR
KARL LAGERFELD vintage matte gold tone cherub pin brooch. Embossed KL. Indicative measurements : max. length approx. 3.8 cm (1.50 inches) / max. height ap...
Gilt Metal
Karl Lagerfeld Vintage White Pearl Flower Relief Rectangle Openwork Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Wokingham, England
Karl Lagerfeld Vintage 1980s Baroque Geometric White Beaded Pearls Flower Relief Rectangle Square Openwork Elegant Brooch, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. 100% Genuine. Rare to ...
Gold Plate
Karl Lagerfeld Massive Bonsai Tree Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in New York, NY
Amazing, Rare Karl Lagerfeld Massive Silver toned Bonsai Tree Brooch from the 1980's. Huge in scale with faceted resin pot studded with gold and silver flo...
Silver Plate
KARL LAGERFELD Vintage Jewelled Key Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Nice, FR
KARL LAGERFELD vintage gold toned key design brooch embellished with red crystals and faux pearls. Embossed KL. Indicative measurements : max....
Karl Lagerfeld Vintage Massive Gold Toned Wax Seal and Fan Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Nice, FR
KARL LAGERFELD vintage gold toned fan brooch featuring a massive wax seal pendant embossed KARL LAGERFELD PARIS and his profile at the front and engra...
Karl Lagerfeld Vintage Virtuf Est Denum Dei Heart Angel Gold Toned Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Nice, FR
KARL LAGERFELD vintage gold toned heart angel brooch embossed VIRTUF EST DENUM DEI. Embossed KL. Indicative measurements : max. width approx. 5.3 cm (2.09 inches) / max height appr...
Gilt Metal
Karl Lagerfeld 1980s Satin Gold with Blue, Black & Green Cabochon Floral Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in New York, NY
This striking vintage brooch by Karl Lagerfeld, dating to the 1980s, features a bold floral motif crafted in rich gilt metal. Each flower is centered with a round cabochon in vibrant...
Gold Plate
KARL LAGERFELD Vintage Jeweled Armchair Pin Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Nice, FR
KARL LAGERFELD vintage gold tone armchair pin brooch embellished with black crystals and resin cabochons. Embossed KL. Indicative measurements : height approx. 3.5 cm (1.38 inches)...
Gilt Metal
Karl Lagerfeld KL Initial Logo in Glass Oval Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in New York, NY
A lovely, large and rare Karl Lagerfeld carved brooch from 1980/90s. The brooch features a large burgundy red oval glass pieces carved with the famous interlocking K and L initial lo...
Gold Plate
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Lyre French Chair Rhinestone Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Lyre French Chair Rhinestone Brooch Measurements: Height: 3.15 inches (8 cm) Width: 1.45 inches (3.7 cm) Depth: 0.59 inch...
Karl Lagerfeld Vintage 14 Blvd de La Madeleine Parisian Street Sign Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Nice, FR
KARL LAGERFELD vintage gold toned sceptre brooch featuring an enameled parisian street sign "8eme KL 14 Blvd. de La Madeleine". Embossed KL. Indicative measurements : max. height a...
Gilt Metal
Karl Lagerfeld Gold Gilt and Glass Handbag brooch New, Never Worn 1990s
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning 1990s Lagerfeld Green crystal Handbag brooch Measuring 1.62 x 1.06. Matching Necklace, earrings and bracelet are listed as well. This is new o...
Gilt Metal
Karl Lagerfeld Satin Gold Open Work Logo Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful 1980/90s sating gold open work brooch by Karl Lagerfeld. The 2.25 inch diameter pieces is gold plated with a scallop edge framework around the iconic interlocking script ...
Gold Plate
Karl Lagerfeld Window with Shutters Pin
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in New York, NY
An elegant 1980s window with open shutters pin from the 1990s. The pin is perfect for a lapel. The arched window is meticulously cast and satin gold plated with attention to the top ...
Gold Plate
Karl Lagerfeld 1980s Gold Plated Purple Gem Feather Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing the Karl Lagerfeld 1980s Gold Plated Purple Gem Feather Brooch – a stunning statement piece that embodies chic elegance. This shiny yellow gold plated brooch is crafted i...
Gold Plate
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Spelled Enamel Tower Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Spelled Enamel Tower Brooch Measurements: Height: 2.95 inches (7.5 cm) Width: 1.18 inches (3 cm) FEATURES: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGERFELD. - Novelty tower b...
Vintage Massive KARL LAGERFELD Ballerina Mesh Jewelled Tutu Whimsical Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive KARL LAGERFELD Figural Ballerina Mesh Jewelled Tutu Whimsical Brooch Measurements: Height: 5.71 inches (14.5 cm) Width: 4.72 inches (12 cm) FEATURES: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGERFELD. - Massive figural ballerina brooch. - Jewelled tutu skirt...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Angel Pearl Long Sceptre Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Angel Pearl Long Sceptre Brooch Measurements: Length: 4.33 inches (11 cm) Width: 0.86 inch (2.2 cm) FEATURES: - 100% Auth...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Sun Moon Stars Perfume Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Sun Moon Stars Perfume Brooch Measurements: Height: 1.81 inches (4.6 cm) Width: 1.22 inches (3.1 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGERFELD. - Sun and moon perfume bottle...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Louis XVI Chair Tie Tack Pin Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Louis XVI Chair Tie Tack Pin Brooch Measurements: Height: 1.37 inches (3.5 cm) Width: 0.98 inch (2.5 cm) Features: - 100% Authent...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Jewelled Initial Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Jewelled Initial Brooch Measurements: Height: 1.73 inches (4.4 cm) Width: 1.26 inches (3.2 cm) FEATURES: - 100% Authentic KARL ...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Harp Limited Edition Novelty Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Harp Limited Edition Novelty Brooch Measurements: Height: 4.40 inches (11.2 cm) Width: 1.69 inches (4.3 cm) FEATURES: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGERFELD. - Nove...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Torch Pearl Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Torch Pearl Brooch Measurements: Length: 3.94 inches (10 cm) Width: 1.26 inches (3.2 cm) FEATURES: - 100% Authentic KAR...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Scale Angel Cherub Pearl Logo Novelty Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Scale Angel Cherub Pearl Logo Novelty Brooch Measurements: Height: 3.77 inches (9.6 cm) Width: 3.38 inches (8.6 cm) FEATURES: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGERFELD...
Karl Lagerfeld Vintage Abstract Flower in Pot Modernist Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Nice, FR
KARL LAGERFELD vintage silver toned modernist brooch featuring an abstract flower in a pot. Embossed LAGERFELD. Indicative measurements : height appr...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD White Cabochon Rhinestone Gunmetal Hat Stick Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD White Cabochon Rhinestone Gunmetal Hat Stick Brooch Measurements: Total Length: 3.27 inches (8.3 cm) Height Head: 0.90 inch (2.3 cm) Width Head: 0.70 inch (1.8 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGERFELD. - White cabochon surrounded with rhinestones hat...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Geometric Diamant Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Geometric Diamant Brooch Measurements: Height: 2.04 inches (5.2cm) Width: 1.02 inches (2.6 cm) Features: - 100% Authent...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD KL Logo Long Silver Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD KL Logo Long Silver Brooch Measurements: Length: 3.35 inches (8.5 cm) Width: 0.59 inch (1.5 cm) FEATURES: - 100% Authentic K...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Golden Sceptre Chalice Long Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD Golden Sceptre Chalice Long Brooch Measurements: Length: 5.12 inches (13 cm) FEATURES: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGERFELD. - Golden s...
Vintage 1996 KARL LAGERFELD Iconic Fan Medallion Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 1996 KARL LAGERFELD Iconic Fan Medallion Brooch Measurements: Height: 7/8 inch Width: 2 1/8 inches Features: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGERFELD. - 3 Medallions with iconic Lagerfeld fan...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD "Quoi de 9 Karl?" Iconic Fan Pearl Drop Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD "Quoi de 9 Karl?" Iconic Fan Pearl Drop Brooch Measurements: Height: 3.46 inches (8.8 cm) Width: 2.36 inches (6 cm) FEATURES...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD KL Logo Sun Long Stick Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD KL Logo Sun Long Stick Brooch Measurements: Height: 2.12 inches (5.70 cm) Width: 1.65 inches (4.2 cm) Features: - 100% Authenti...
Vintage Massive KARL LAGERFELD KL Logo Iconic Fan Pearl Drop Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive KARL LAGERFELD KL Logo Iconic Fan Pearl Drop Brooch Measurements: Height: 4.13 inches (10.5 cm) Width: 3.34 inches (8.5 cm) FEATURE...
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD French Window Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KARL LAGERFELD French Window Brooch Measurements: Height: 1 3/4 inches Width: 1 3/8 inches Features: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGERFELD. ...
Vintage Massive Iconic KARL LAGERFELD KL Logo Fan Medallion Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive Iconic KARL LAGERFELD KL Logo Fan Medallion Brooch Measurements: Height: 3.38 inches (8.6 cm) Width: 3.11 inches (7.9 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGERFELD....
Vintage RARE KARL LAGERFELD Figural Harvest Motif Enamel Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage RARE KARL LAGERFELD Figural Harvest Motif Enamel Brooch Measurement: Height: 3.93 inches (10 cm) Width: 1.77 inches (4.5 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic KARL LAGERFELD. - Ge...