UPDATE: Chanel Shares Official Statement on Passing of Karl Lagerfeld, Announces Successor
Studio director Virginie Viard will be taking the reins.
UPDATE: Chanel has confirmed that Virginie Viard has been appointed as Karl Lagerfeld’s successor – a fitting move considering Viard has worked alongside him as studio director for the luxury house since 1987. Chanel also issued the following official statement regarding the passing of Mr Lagerfeld:
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. An extraordinary creative individual, Karl Lagerfeld reinvented the brand’s codes created
by Gabrielle Chanel: the CHANEL jacket and suit, the little black dress, the precious tweeds, the two-tone shoes, the quilted handbags, the pearls and costume jewelry. Regarding Gabrielle Chanel, he said, “My job is not to do what she did, but what she would have done. The good thing about Chanel is it is an idea you can adapt to many things.”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 1987. Finally, one cannot refer to Karl Lagerfeld without mentioning his innate sense of repartee and self-mockery.
Karl Lagerfeld, the legendary designer and Creative Director of both Chanel and Fendi as well as his namesake line has sadly passed away in Paris, aged 85. Rumors of his illness were rife after the designer missed out his bow at the end of Chanel’s SS19 Haute Couture show in January.
One of the most prolific designers of our time, Lagerfeld took over the helm of Fendi way back in 1965 though he is best known for his legacy at Chanel, where he’s served since 1983. He’s gone on to become not only the most respected name in the industry, but a pop culture icon thanks to his inimitable personal aesthetic and demeanour. There’s no news yet on what this means for Chanel’s Fall/Winter 2019 show which is scheduled for March 5 at Paris Fashion Week, however there’s no doubt this sad news has shaken the industry. See some of the reactions on social media below – rest in peace, Karl.
