Fashion Industry Loses Iconic Designer and Photographer Karl Lagerfeld

Extra-ordinary Fashion Statement, is what one would use to describe Karl Lagerfeld.

This man Lagerfeld, completely changed the fashion world. His own signature look was one that could not be forged, because only he knew how to dress each item to its best. He wouldn’t go unnoticed with his dark sunglasses, fingerless gloves, high detachable collars and his white ponytail.

He is a perfect example of ‘trust the process’ - for it took him years and years to create and establish his name in the fashion industry.

Throughout his career, Lagerfeld made a major impact in the fashion industry. He created revolutionary clothing line and also introduced new models.

At the age of 17 he entered The Fashion Design Competition (1954) – a contest held by the International Wool Association where he won. His coat design (his first design) was produced by Pierre Balmain, who also took him as his assistant. In his 65 years-career, he worked with a number of Iconic designers. After working alongside Balmain, he gained even more experience by working as the art director for designer Jean Patou.

In the year 1962, he became the first designer to work as a freelancer and created clothing and accessories for the likes of Mario Valentino and Charles Jourdan.

Up until his death on the 19th of February 2019, he was the creative director of the ‘French Fashion House Chanel’ since 1983. He was also the creative director of the ‘Italian fur and leather goods fashion house Fendi’ and his own label which he described as “intellectual; sexiness”.

To continue creating history, Lagerfeld’s ineradicable modern designs that were acquired by the Phoenix Art Museum – one of the remarkable fashion-design programs will live on in the permanent collection of the museum. The museum acquired four full Lagerfeld looks between 2001 and 2012. Fashion curator Dennita Sewell who has worked with the museum for 19 years, says it is worth collecting best of the best couture and most especially when still fresh off the runways.

"It becomes a collecting strategy to make sure you’re acquiring things that are the best examples of an era for the future.None of the pieces is currently on exhibit, but all four looks have been featured in past exhibitions, including ones focused on trench coats and motorcycle fashions.The most recent acquisition, a classic-looking ivory lace dress, was featured in a 2012 show titled "The Sea," which explored designs inspired by ‘the romance of the sea’."

The German born designer Karl Lagerfeld is one of the most prolific and legendary fashion designer of the 20th and 21st centuries that will also be remembered as an artist, photographer and caricaturist.