Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld was born on September 10, 1938 in Hamburg, Germany. He moved to Paris in 1952 and in 1954 won a competition prize sponsored by the International Wool Secretariat for his design of a woolen coat. Pierre Balmain hired him as
a design assistant for the house of Balmain. In 1958 he worked as art director of the House of Patou, where he remained until 1962.
Lagerfeld worked for Chloë from 1963 to 1983, where he created styles that was both elegant and focused on the young. During that time he also worked as a freelance designer for Krizia, Valentino, Ballantyne, and other companies. In 1975 Lagerfeld formed his own company and in 1983 became artistic director of the House of Chanel. While continuing his responsibilities at Chanel and at Fendi, he formed Karl Lagerfeld S.A. and KL to market his own ready-to-wear lines, which featured bold tailoring, easy-to-wear cardigan jackets in his favorite bright colors, and were combined with softly shaped knitwear.
Karl Lagerfeld S.A. was acquired by Dunhill (the parent company of Chloë) in 1992, and Lagerfeld returned to Chloë at and held the post of chief designer until 1997, when he was replaced by Stella McCartney. When he left Chloë, he regained control of his own company; and in early 2000 Lagerfeld he was simultaneously designing for Karl Lagerfeld/KL, Chanel, and Fendi. Lagerfeld has also designed costumes for theatrical productions and many films including The Sun Also Rises, Babette’s Feast, Viva le Vie, and Le General de L’Armee Morte.
In 2004, Lagerfeld signed a deal with H&M to design an inexpensive line for its stores and, in 2005, sold the global Karl Lagerfeld trademark portfolio and related companies and collections including Lagerfeld Gallery, to the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation. In 2006, Lagerfeld gave his vote of approval to Apex Partners to purchase Tommy Hilfiger Corporation. In 2006, he also signed a licensing agreement with Spanish bridal manufacturer Rosa Clara to create a Lagerfeld Collection of bridalwear.
Lagerfeld’s talent has been recognized with many awards: Second prize, International Wool Secretariat design contest, 1954; Neiman Marcus award, 1980; Bath Museum of Costume Dress of the Year Award, 1981; 20th Dé d'or, 1986; Council of Fashion Designers of America Award, 1991; Fashion Footwear Association of New York Award, 1991.
