Who is Karl Lagerfeld? Everything You Need to Know About Him
by Alaguvelan M | Updated May 09, 2023
Who is Karl Lagerfeld?
Karl Otto Lagerfeld is the real name of Karl Lagerfeld, he was born on September 10, 1933, in Hamburg, Germany, and passed away on February 19, 2019, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. He was a German Fashion Designer.
Karl Lagerfeld was one of the most iconic figures in the fashion industry and was known for his immense talent, creativity, and larger-than-life personality. He was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1933 and began working in the fashion industry in the early 1950s. Lagerfeld first gained widespread recognition in the 1960s for his work with the fashion house Chloé. His career took off from there, and he went on to work for numerous other fashion labels throughout his career.
Beyond his work in fashion design, Lagerfeld was also a talented artist, photographer, and writer. He published several books, including "The Karl Lagerfeld Diet," and was a regular contributor to magazines and newspapers.
In addition to his work in the fashion industry, Lagerfeld was also known for his distinctive personal style and his love of books. He amassed one of the largest private libraries in the world and was known for his extensive knowledge of literature, history, and culture.
Lagerfeld was a controversial figure at times, facing criticism for controversial statements he made on a range of topics. However, his influence and impact on the fashion industry were undeniable, and his legacy continues to inspire designers today.
In the 1950s, Lagerfeld launched his fashion career by working with renowned fashion houses such as Balmain, Patou, and Chloé, until he eventually joined Chanel in 1983. Serving as creative director for Chanel from 1983 until his passing, he oversaw every aspect of the fashion house's creative output, from designing collections to supervising advertising campaigns and store displays.
He played a crucial role in reinvigorating the Chanel brand, restoring its position as one of the leading fashion houses globally. Additionally, Lagerfeld served as the creative director for the Italian fur and leather goods fashion house Fendi and also founded his own eponymous fashion label. Throughout his extensive career, he collaborated on numerous fashion and art-related ventures.
Karl Lagerfeld Father
Otto Christian Ludwig Lagerfeld also known as Otto Lagerfeld and Otto was born on September 12, 1881, in Hamburg, German Empire, and he passed away on July 4, 1967, in Baden-Baden, West Germany. In 1919, a German entrepreneur named Otto Lagerfeld established Lagerfeld & Co, a company that specialized in importing evaporated milk.
Karl Lagerfeld's father, Otto Lagerfeld, was a successful businessman who made his fortune by producing and selling a brand of condensed milk called Glücksklee in Germany. As a young boy, Karl was raised in a wealthy family and was exposed to art, culture, and literature from an early age. However, his relationship with his father was reportedly strained, and they had little in common beyond their shared interest in the business.
In addition to his work with Glücksklee, Otto Lagerfeld was also involved in the Nazi party during World War II, which has been a source of controversy in recent years. Some historians have suggested that the Lagerfeld family was also involved in the manufacture of military uniforms and equipment during the war.
Otto Lagerfeld also had an interesting personal life. He was married three times and had several children, including Karl Lagerfeld and his older half-sister, Martha Christiane "Christel" Lagerfeld. Christel was reportedly a close confidante of Karl's and was often seen accompanying him to fashion events and shows.
Otto Lagerfeld's relationship with his son Karl was reportedly strained, and the two had little in common beyond their shared interest in the business. However, despite their personal differences, Karl was deeply influenced by his father's entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic, and these qualities are said to have inspired Karl's own success in the fashion industry.
Otto Lagerfeld passed away in 1967 when Karl was in his early thirties. However, his legacy as a successful businessman and entrepreneur continues to be felt to this day. Although he was not directly involved in the fashion industry, Otto Lagerfeld undoubtedly had a profound impact on his son's life and career, and his contributions to the family business were instrumental in Karl's success as a designer and creative director.
Karl Lagerfeld Wife
Karl Lagerfeld was never married. I'm sorry, but I cannot provide any additional information on Karl Lagerfeld's wife because he was never married. Throughout his life, Lagerfeld remained a bachelor and was known for his private personal life. While he had several long-term relationships, he never took any of them to the altar. One of his well-known partners was Jacques de Bascher, whom he reportedly dated for 18 years.
It is worth noting that Lagerfeld was quite successful in his career in the fashion industry. He was the creative director for Chanel women's wear from 1983 until his death in 2019. He was also at the helm of the Italian fur and leather goods fashion house Fendi and his eponymous fashion label.
Lagerfeld was known for his distinctive personal style, which included his white hair, black sunglasses, and fingerless gloves. He was also known for his love of books and amassed one of the largest private libraries in the world. Despite his love for fashion, he was also associated with controversies during his career. He faced accusations of being fatphobic, Islamophobic, and opposing the #MeToo movement.
Lagerfeld passed away on February 19, 2019, at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy in the fashion industry that would continue to influence designers for years to come. Many people continue to admire Lagerfeld for his incredible creativity, his dedication to fashion, and his unique personal style. Although he never married, his well-known relationships and private personal life continue to fascinate people, along with his groundbreaking work in the fashion industry.
Karl Lagerfeld Net Worth
Karl Lagerfeld had a net worth of approximately $300 million at the time of his death in February 2019. However, estimates of his net worth have varied, with some sources suggesting it could have been as high as $400 million. Lagerfeld's wealth was largely derived from his successful career in the fashion industry, where he served as creative director for Chanel women's wear from 1983 until his death.
He also worked for Fendi and had his own eponymous fashion label. Lagerfeld had numerous other business ventures and investments, including a collaboration with Diesel to create a denim collection and a deal to design limited-edition homes in Dubai. After Lagerfeld's death, much of his estate was left to his beloved pet cat, Choupette, who has an estimated net worth of $250 million.
At the age of 22, Lagerfeld embarked on a professional fashion career, but unlike his contemporaries, he did not achieve immense personal success with his own collection, which he sold off for billions. Nevertheless, he amassed a substantial fortune by designing for others. Most notably, Lagerfeld established enduring relationships with Chanel and Fendi, serving as creative director for both brands until his passing in 2019. Under lifetime contracts with both companies, he reportedly earned a minimum of $50 million per year in income, cementing his financial success in the industry.
Who is Karl Lagerfeld - FAQs
Karl Lagerfeld was renowned for his talent and creativity as a fashion designer. He was also known for his larger-than-life personality and distinctive personal style.
Karl Lagerfeld was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1933.
Karl Lagerfeld's father was Otto Lagerfeld, a businessman who owned a company that produced and distributed a brand of condensed milk called Glücksklee in Germany.
Karl Lagerfeld first gained widespread recognition in the 1960s for his work with the fashion house Chloé.
In addition to his fashion design work, Karl Lagerfeld was also a talented artist, photographer, and writer. He published several books and was a regular contributor to magazines and newspapers.