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Karl Lagerfeld

Fashion designer and photographer

He once famously declared that sweatpants are a sign of defeat, signaling that a person who buys a pair has lost control of his life. His signature look entails a black blazer and white shirt with the collar turned up and sunglasses. Lagerfeld was born in 1933 in Hamburg. He has been the creative director of Chanel since 1983.

Watching Karl Lagerfeld's estate go under the hammer

Watching Karl Lagerfeld's estate go under the hammer 06.05.2022

On the day Diego Maradona's football jersey fetched a record sum at Sotheby's London, DW's Brenda Haas went to the auction house's Cologne branch to watch her first auction.
Karl Lagerfeld: Fashion icon's estate up for auction

Karl Lagerfeld: Fashion icon's estate up for auction 29.04.2022

Following two previous successful auctions, the third tranche of the fashion legend's estate will go under the hammer at Sotheby's newest auction house, in Cologne.
Acting icon Tilda Swinton at 60

Acting icon Tilda Swinton at 60 05.11.2020

Oscar winner, free spirit, all round acting talent: Tilda Swinton shines in blockbusters just as well as she does in arthouse films. Now she's celebrating her 60th birthday. 
Claudia Schiffer: Legendary 90s German supermodel turns 50

Claudia Schiffer: Legendary 90s German supermodel turns 50 25.08.2020

With guidance from Karl Lagerfeld, the shy German teen became an iconic 1990s supermodel. Beneath the glamor, Claudia Schiffer was lauded as a disciplined professional. The "Ice Queen" maintains her cool at 50.

Claudia Schiffer: The supermodel at 50

Claudia Schiffer: The supermodel at 50 25.08.2020

German-born supermodel Claudia Schiffer stood at the pinnacle of the fashion world during modeling's golden age. We review as she turns 50 on August 25.
Bookworms celebrate Book Lovers Day

Bookworms celebrate Book Lovers Day 09.08.2020

Every year on August 9, bibliophiles celebrate Book Lovers Day. Who are these bookworms, and what do they collect? Throughout history, people have expressed their feelings towards books in remarkable ways.
Arts and culture stars who died in 2019

Arts and culture stars who died in 2019 26.12.2019

Karl Lagerfeld, Toni Morrison and Bruno Ganz were among the famous people who died in 2019. A look back in pictures.
A look at Lagerfeld's final collection for Chanel

A look at Lagerfeld's final collection for Chanel 05.03.2019

The presentation of Karl Lagerfeld's last collection for Chanel, shown at Paris women's fashion week on Tuesday, opened with a minute of silence in tribute to the fashion giant.
Chanel pays tribute to Lagerfeld with his final collection

Chanel pays tribute to Lagerfeld with his final collection 05.03.2019

With Fashion Week in Paris, the German designer's iconic white ponytail and dark shades were missed. Karl Lagerfeld was nevertheless present at the show with his final collection for Chanel.

Karl Lagerfeld cremated in France

Karl Lagerfeld cremated in France 23.02.2019

Fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld has been cremated in Nanterre, west of Paris, in a "very private" ceremony. The Hamburg-born designer, who was a brand in his own right, died on Tuesday at the age of 85.
How Karl Lagerfeld made an icon of himself

How Karl Lagerfeld made an icon of himself 20.02.2019

He was more than a legendary designer. Gerd Müller-Thomkins, director of the German Fashion Institute, discussed with DW Lagerfeld's French and German sides, his irony and his unique twist on today's selfie society.
8 of Karl Lagerfeld's models

8 of Karl Lagerfeld's models 20.02.2019

He turned German model Claudia Schiffer into a superstar, but she was not the only one. Many of the models hired by Chanel's legendary designer were also his muses. Here's how they paid tribute to their mentor.
High Five: 5 of Karl Lagerfeld's most outrageous comments

High Five: 5 of Karl Lagerfeld's most outrageous comments 19.02.2019

Whether it's about models, cats or sweatpants — no one knew just what outrageous comment fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld would utter next. Here is a roundup of our favorites.
German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld dies age 85

German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld dies age 85 19.02.2019

Chanel's leading designer for 30 years, Karl Lagerfeld was a brand in his own right with an unmistakable look and outrageous comments. The German-born designer has died at the age of 85.
High Five: 5 of Karl Lagerfeld's most outrageous comments

High Five: 5 of Karl Lagerfeld's most outrageous comments 11.09.2018

The world-famous fashion designer isn't known for holding back. Here are some of his most shocking sayings.
World-class designer Karl Lagerfeld at 85 (probably)

World-class designer Karl Lagerfeld at 85 (probably) 10.09.2018

He's been designing collections for Chanel for 30 years, photographing fashion, devising advertising campaigns and collecting masses of books. It's nearly impossible to capture icon Karl Lagerfeld in words.
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