The fashion world lost an icon Tuesday morning.
Karl Lagerfeld, haute couture designer and the creative director of Chanel, passed away in Paris at the age of 85.
Lagerfeld was a powerhouse in the fashion world. He directed LVMH-owned luxury label Fendi since 1977 and Paris’s own powerhouse Chanel since 1983.
MORE: Here's what you need to know about Karl Lagerfeld's legendary career pic.twitter.com/3FNwXXxmsO
— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) February 19, 2019
His outspoken opinions won him the nickname “Kaiser Karl” in fashion media.
Born in Hamburg, Germany in 1933, Lagerfeld began his fashion career as an apprentice to Pierre Balmain before moving on to Patou, Chloe, and then Fendi.
His iconic style, dark suits, pony-tailed white hair, and sunglasses, made its mark on the fashion industry for over 50 years.
"Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants." — RIP Karl Lagerfeld, quite possibly the most quotable person in fashion pic.twitter.com/sQ3Vc5xoPU
— The Times of London (@thetimes) February 19, 2019
Aside from being a masterful designer, Karl also took care of the brands’ advertising campaigns as a photographer and director.
He was witty and mysterious, but his work affected the entire fashion world. From his H&M limited edition collection that sold out in two days to the pieces that trickle down to lower end retailers, his work and influence changed the world of fashion forevermore.