Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Otto Lagerfeld (1938) German designer, stage designer, illustrator and photographer, comes from a rich manufacturing family of Hamburg and moved to Paris to conclude his studies when he was fifteen years old. Three years later he won the first prize, on a par with Yves Saint Laurent, of a competition set up by the International Wool Secretariat, and went to work for Pierre Balmain, before transferring to Patou in �58. Lagerfield moved on from the fashion house to become stylist and consultant for several brands like Krizia, Chlo�, Charles Jourdan and Ballantine. The designer met the Fendi sisters of Rome in 1967 and set up a long-lasting collaboration. He invented a new way of interpreting fur for the sisters, using unusual furs as if they were precious fabrics. 1983 marked another important appointment for Lagerfield; artistic director for the Chanel Maison and the difficult task of updating the Coco style. He also designs his own women�s pr�t-�-porter line, the Karl Lagerfeld Gallery.

www.karllagerfeld.com