Legendary Fashion Designer Karl Lagerfeld Dies at 85

Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel Metiers d'Art Collection fashion show in Hamburg, Germany in 2017. Photo by WWD/REX/Shutterstock (9262836eh)

Karl Lagerfeld, who spent last five decades redefining the world of fashion, passed away at age 85. He established himself as one of the biggest fashion visionaries, who set industry standards and collaborated with some of the most beloved style icons in history.

Lagerfeld passed away in Paris on Tuesday morning, after losing a secret battle to pancreatic cancer. The famed designer avoided publicly speaking about his illness and the news of his death was announced in a statement released by the fashion house Chanel.

“A prolific creative mind with endless imagination, Karl Lagerfeld explored many artistic horizons, including photography and short films. The house of Chanel benefited from his talent for all the branding campaigns related to fashion since 1983,” read the statement.

Lagerfeld became one of the most recognizable designers in the world thanks to serving as the creative director of this luxury fashion house. He later became a creative director of the Italian fur and leather goods fashion house Fendi and eventually started his own eponymous fashion label.

Lagerfeld managed to become as recognizable as his celebrity clients thanks to his signature white pony tail, black sunglasses and starched high-collared shirts. His passing caused outpouring of emotion in the industry, with Hollywood stars, fans and peers from all around the globe paying tribute to this fashion trailblazer.