KARL LAGERFELD UNOFFICIAL FAN SITE
KARL LAGERFELD BIOGRAPHY
Born in Hamburg in 1938, Karl Lagerfeld emigrated to Paris at the age of 14. He was to go on to become one of the most celebrated designers this century has seen.
In 1955, at the age of just 17, Lagerfeld was awarded a position at Pierre Balmain, after winning a competition sponsored by the International Wool Secretariat (the coat he had designed for the contest was later put into production by Balmain). In 1958, he left to take up a job with Jean Patou, which gave him an invaluable knowledge of couture but apparently very little pleasure. After just one year, he quit to work as a freelance designer for such fashion houses as Krizia, Charles Jourdan and Valentino. By 1964, he had grown so disillusioned with the world of haute couture that he left Paris altogether to study art in Italy.
In 1967, Lagerfeld returned to fashion, joining Fendi as a design consultant. In the Seventies, however, his name was more closely associated with the house of Chloe, where he was given carte blanche to produce exquisite floaty and feminine ready-to-wear collections which claimed to rival contemporary couture. His 1972 Deco collection, which consisted of black and white prints and clever bias-cutting, brought him worldwide acclaim. He produced his last collection for Chloe - now designed by Phoebe Philo - in 1983 to move to Chanel (though he did return briefly in 1993, to replace outgoing designer Martine Sitbon).
At the same time as taking on the title of director of collections and ready-to-wear at Chanel, Lagerfeld launched his own-name label, now synonymous with strong tailoring, combining easy-to-wear cardigan jackets in his favourite bright colours and softly shaped knitwear to create what he describes as "intellectual sexiness". Meanwhile his designs for the super-chic French fashion house, a fusion of pre-war Chanel and contemporary trends, carried the label to the pinnacle of high fashion in the Eighties and Nineties. Notable moments of his career at Chanel include teaming the traditional box jacket with denim mini skirts in 1991, combining club-influenced black fishnet bodystockings with the traditional Chanel camellia placed cheekily over the breasts and matching hefty lace-up boots with flowing georgette skirts and leather jackets. By 1997, Vogue had crowned him the "unparalleled interpreter of the mood of the moment".
Despite moving from label to label, Lagerfeld has managed to retain a sense of his own style throughout his career. His success lies in an ability to make a bold statement and he is never afraid to try something new. He has also maintained a sense of humour throughout his designing that has produced such legendary pieces as a shower-dress, with beaded water streaming down the front; a car-dress with a radiator grille and fender, and a multitude of outstandingly eccentric hats, from armchairs to cream cakes, translating Chanel trademarks such as the quilted handbag into a range of seasonal must-haves, including the handbag earring, the handbag hat, the doll-sized shoulder bag, the quilted hip bag, the quilted Alice band and the outsize baguette bag.
He also enjoys a range of outside interests, including languages (he speaks fluent German, English, French and Italian and has expressed a desire to learn Spanish), illustration, antiques and photography (he was responsible for producing Visionaire 23: The Emperor's New Clothes, a series of nude portraits, starring South African model David Miller) and describes himself as an "intelligent opportunistic" and "professional dilettante". As he told US Vogue in 1988: "What I enjoy about the job is the job."
Note: His original name was Lagerfeldt (with a "t"), but he later changed it to Lagerfeld as "it sounds more commercial."
Chanel, 29-31 rue Cambon, 75001 Paris, France
Tel: + 33 (0)1 42 86 28 00
Source: vogue.co.uk
In 1955, at the age of just 17, Lagerfeld was awarded a position at Pierre Balmain, after winning a competition sponsored by the International Wool Secretariat (the coat he had designed for the contest was later put into production by Balmain). In 1958, he left to take up a job with Jean Patou, which gave him an invaluable knowledge of couture but apparently very little pleasure. After just one year, he quit to work as a freelance designer for such fashion houses as Krizia, Charles Jourdan and Valentino. By 1964, he had grown so disillusioned with the world of haute couture that he left Paris altogether to study art in Italy.
In 1967, Lagerfeld returned to fashion, joining Fendi as a design consultant. In the Seventies, however, his name was more closely associated with the house of Chloe, where he was given carte blanche to produce exquisite floaty and feminine ready-to-wear collections which claimed to rival contemporary couture. His 1972 Deco collection, which consisted of black and white prints and clever bias-cutting, brought him worldwide acclaim. He produced his last collection for Chloe - now designed by Phoebe Philo - in 1983 to move to Chanel (though he did return briefly in 1993, to replace outgoing designer Martine Sitbon).
At the same time as taking on the title of director of collections and ready-to-wear at Chanel, Lagerfeld launched his own-name label, now synonymous with strong tailoring, combining easy-to-wear cardigan jackets in his favourite bright colours and softly shaped knitwear to create what he describes as "intellectual sexiness". Meanwhile his designs for the super-chic French fashion house, a fusion of pre-war Chanel and contemporary trends, carried the label to the pinnacle of high fashion in the Eighties and Nineties. Notable moments of his career at Chanel include teaming the traditional box jacket with denim mini skirts in 1991, combining club-influenced black fishnet bodystockings with the traditional Chanel camellia placed cheekily over the breasts and matching hefty lace-up boots with flowing georgette skirts and leather jackets. By 1997, Vogue had crowned him the "unparalleled interpreter of the mood of the moment".
Despite moving from label to label, Lagerfeld has managed to retain a sense of his own style throughout his career. His success lies in an ability to make a bold statement and he is never afraid to try something new. He has also maintained a sense of humour throughout his designing that has produced such legendary pieces as a shower-dress, with beaded water streaming down the front; a car-dress with a radiator grille and fender, and a multitude of outstandingly eccentric hats, from armchairs to cream cakes, translating Chanel trademarks such as the quilted handbag into a range of seasonal must-haves, including the handbag earring, the handbag hat, the doll-sized shoulder bag, the quilted hip bag, the quilted Alice band and the outsize baguette bag.
He also enjoys a range of outside interests, including languages (he speaks fluent German, English, French and Italian and has expressed a desire to learn Spanish), illustration, antiques and photography (he was responsible for producing Visionaire 23: The Emperor's New Clothes, a series of nude portraits, starring South African model David Miller) and describes himself as an "intelligent opportunistic" and "professional dilettante". As he told US Vogue in 1988: "What I enjoy about the job is the job."
Note: His original name was Lagerfeldt (with a "t"), but he later changed it to Lagerfeld as "it sounds more commercial."
Chanel, 29-31 rue Cambon, 75001 Paris, France
Tel: + 33 (0)1 42 86 28 00
Source: vogue.co.uk
SPONSORED LINKS
KARL LAGERFELD NEWS
Lagerfeld Celebrates Karl - Women's Wear Daily
Karl Lagerfeld: I'm always late because I was born late - Irish Independent
Karl Lagerfeld launches online-exclusive fashion range - BBC News
Karl Lagerfeld Hosts Luxury Aircraft-Themed Fashion Show - Haute Living
Karl Lagerfeld Takes Flight, Ricky Gervais Flunks Fashion, Jean Paul Gaultier ... - Hollywood Reporter
Alice Dellal's Memorable Chanel Campaign - Contactmusic.com
Karl Lagerfeld and Elizabeth Olsen - Women's Wear Daily
H&M reports surprise fall in profits - The Guardian
Tasting Notes on Wine and Style - Huffington Post
Karl Lagerfeld's Diffusion Line to Launch in Sydney - Women's Wear Daily
 Daily Mail | Lagerfeld Celebrates Karl Women's Wear Daily Toward the end of a lavish dinner Karl Lagerfeld hosted Wednesday night to launch his new masstige line, waiters placed a large tray before each guest and lifted the dome to reveal an iPad on a white plate. At the press of button, each tablet broadcast ... Karl Lagerfeld's 'cut-price' collection sells out online as hundreds of ... "It's a New Mix" Azealia Banks Performs "212" at Karl Lagerfeld's House, Seriously |
Karl Lagerfeld: I'm always late because I was born late - Irish Independent
 Irish Independent | Karl Lagerfeld: I'm always late because I was born late Irish Independent Karl Lagerfeld thinks he's always late because he lost three weeks when he was born overdue. The German designer has taken part in a video interview for Net-a-porter, in which he interviews himself. Two versions of Karl are seen in the promo, ... Karl Sells Out On Net-a-Porter — and Hits eBay! Muses Beware: Karl Lagerfeld Dismisses The Concept, Kind Of Karl Lagerfeld Interviews Himself On Net-A-Porter |
Karl Lagerfeld launches online-exclusive fashion range - BBC News
 BBC News | Karl Lagerfeld launches online-exclusive fashion range BBC News Designer Karl Lagerfeld has launched an online fashion collection in conjunction with the London-based web retailer Net-a-Porter. The Karl line is being marketed as an "accessible" range for women. Items range in price from £20 to £980. Karl Lagerfeld's Launch Party in Paris: Fake Invites, iPads and Azealia Banks ... “Karl” by Karl Lagerfeld for Net-a-Porter Karl Lagerfeld relaunches Karl collection online with gloves, collars and ... |
Karl Lagerfeld Hosts Luxury Aircraft-Themed Fashion Show - Haute Living
Karl Lagerfeld Hosts Luxury Aircraft-Themed Fashion Show Haute Living Karl Lagerfeld's most recent Chanel fashion show. The designer chose to host the couture show on a runway that resembled an aircraft. The seats were numbered and reminiscent of airplane seats, the entrance was the door to the cockpit and the blue ... |
Karl Lagerfeld Takes Flight, Ricky Gervais Flunks Fashion, Jean Paul Gaultier ... - Hollywood Reporter
 Hollywood Reporter | Karl Lagerfeld Takes Flight, Ricky Gervais Flunks Fashion, Jean Paul Gaultier ... Hollywood Reporter Apparently, Karl Lagerfeld likes to fly the friendly skies. His Chanel spring-summer couture collection was an ode to the TV show, Pan Am. The catwalk was a blue carpet inside a lifesized jumbo jet complete with luggage lockers and a champagne trolley. Amy Winehouse's father blasts fashion show New Jean Paul Gaultier Collection is All About Amy Winehouse Jean Paul Gaultier Salutes Amy Winehouse |
Alice Dellal's Memorable Chanel Campaign - Contactmusic.com
 Contactmusic.com | Alice Dellal's Memorable Chanel Campaign Contactmusic.com Alice Dellal will remember her Chanel campaign ''forever'' and loved working with its creative director Karl Lagerfeld. Alice Dellal will remember her Chanel campaign "forever". The model has become the latest star to represent the iconic French ... 'It's so weird!' Alice Dellal talks about being the face of the Boy Chanel ... |
Karl Lagerfeld and Elizabeth Olsen - Women's Wear Daily
 Globe and Mail | Karl Lagerfeld and Elizabeth Olsen Women's Wear Daily FLIGHT PATTERNS: “I brought my own jet lag,” Cameron Diaz laughed as she settled into seat 12D of the dazzling jetliner set at Chanel's couture show Tuesday. The actress explained she's in Paris to shoot a couture story for the May issue of In Style ... Couture fashion week spring 2012 Chanel aims sky-high, and Armani courts A-list Lagerfeld rolls out his Chanel hits at Paris Fashion Week! |
H&M reports surprise fall in profits - The Guardian
 Irish Times | H&M reports surprise fall in profits The Guardian H&M may need bouncers to control the crowds when it launches high street collections by famous designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Donatella Versace, but analysts warned on Thursday that the Swedish fashion chain was losing its lustre after it ... Swedish fashion chain H&M sees small drop in Q4 profit due to discounting but ... |
Tasting Notes on Wine and Style - Huffington Post
Tasting Notes on Wine and Style Huffington Post If you are an avid Chanel fan you probably know Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel's long time designer, is launching aa namesake collection with online retailer Net-A-Porter today. The build up to this collaboration has been nothing short of frenzied, ... Trendy Fashion Report: Chanel Spring Couture 2012 |
Karl Lagerfeld's Diffusion Line to Launch in Sydney - Women's Wear Daily
 Women's Wear Daily | Karl Lagerfeld's Diffusion Line to Launch in Sydney Women's Wear Daily The last time Karl Lagerfeld made a splash in Sydney was December 2003, when his guest editorship of Vogue Australia was feted with fireworks at the Sydney Opera House. The venue for the Sydney launch of Lagerfeld's new Karl diffusion line on Thursday ... |
KARL LAGERFELD WALLPAPERS
KARL LAGERFELD AVATARS
100x100 px
50x50 px
