Lagerfeld, Karl (1933-2019), was an important German-born fashion designer. Lagerfeld designed both couture (high fashion) and ready-to-wear clothes for different firms as a freelancer. During the 1980’s, he became well known for his ability to design in distinctive styles for each of the fashion houses for which he worked. He was especially noted for carrying on the traditions of the famous house of Chanel while incorporating current fashion trends in his designs.
Lagerfeld was born on Sept. 10, 1933, in Hamburg, Germany. He joined the staff of the French designer Pierre Balmain as a teenager, remaining from 1954 to 1957. Lagerfeld then served as art director for French designer Jean Patou for about five years. In about 1963, Lagerfeld began working as a freelance designer, notably with the house of Chloe in Paris and Fendi in Rome. He became chief designer for the house of Chanel in 1983. He founded his own fashion company in 1984. Lagerfeld was also a noted photographer and designed costumes for films, opera, and the theater. Lagerfeld died on Feb. 19, 2019.
