Renowned German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has died at the age of 85, latest reports say.
The designer, who was the creative director for Chanel and Fendi, also designed collections for his own brand.
Speculations about Lagerfeld’s deteriorating health became rife after he missed Chanel’s haute couture show in Paris in January this year.
Designer Henry Holland paid tribute to Lagerfeld on social media, using one of his own quotes. He wrote, “To design is to breathe, so if I can’t breathe I’m in trouble” RIP @KarlLagerfeld #karlargerfeld (sic)
“To design is to breathe, so if I can’t breathe I’m in trouble” RIP @KarlLagerfeld #karlargerfeld :disappointed_relieved:
— henry holland (@henryholland) February 19, 2019
Born in pre-war Germany in 1933, Lagerfeld moved to Paris as a young teenager, and became a design assistant for Pierre Balmain in 1955, before working at Fendi and Chloe in the 1960s.
He began his long career with Chanel in 1983, a decade after Coco Chanel died.
Although Lagerfeld’s stint with Chloe fetched him success, it was Chanel that took him to a rock star status as as he revitalised the brand and lifted its profile with extravagant runway shows.
