The creative director of Chanel, Fendi and his eponymous line Karl Lagerfeld died on Feb. 19. He was 85.
There is no confirmed cause of death, multiple outlets have reported. In a statement, Chanel announced: "It is with deep sadness that the House of Chanel announces the passing of Karl Lagerfeld, the Creative Director for the Chanel Fashion House since 1983." Scores of celebrities, models and fellow designers also paid tribute to the late style icon.
Born in Germany to Elisabeth Bahlmann and Otto Lagerfeld, a wealthy Hamburg businessman, he later emigrated to France where he graduated from Lycée Montaigne with a focus on drawing and history.
After winning the Woolmark Prize design competition he landed his first job in the industry under Pierre Balmain as his assistant in 1955, and from there his career took off, bringing him to various other fashion houses including Chloé and Fendi. While Lagerfeld was an author, photographer and prolific sketch artist, he is best known for revitalizing the iconic brand founded by Coco Chanel when he took over the reigns at Chanel in 1983.
With his trademark black sunglasses, powdered white ponytail and black leather gloves, the style icon was one of few designers who consistently remained as immediately recognizable as their designs.