The House of Chanel Reacts to Karl Lagerfeld's Death
Chanel's longtime, iconic creative director Karl Lagerfeld has passed away at the age of 85.
The French fashion house responded to the designer's death with "deep sadness" in a lengthy statement.
Virginie Viard, Director of Chanel's Fashion Creation Studio, will be taking over for Lagerfeld.
Chanel has issued a statement in response to the death of its iconic creative director, Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away in Paris at the age fo 85. "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," the brand said in a lengthy post on Instagram.
"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," the brand added. "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.'"
Chanel also lauded Lagerfeld's talents as a photographer and director, noting his work for the label's imagery, short films, and more. He had been behind the lens for the brand's fashion campaigns since 1987.
"Finally, one cannot refer to Karl Lagerfeld without mentioning his innate sense of repartee and self-mockery," Chanel continued.
A post shared by CHANEL (@chanelofficial) on Feb 19, 2019 at 5:59am PST
In its statement, Chanel also announced that Virginie Viard, Director of the brand's Fashion Creation Studio and Lagerfeld's close collaborator for 30 years, will take over for the late designer "so that the legacy of Gabrielle Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld can live on."
In addition to helming Chanel, Lagerfeld was also at the reigns for Fendi (where he began designing in 1965) and his eponymous line. Both brands also responded to the designer's passing with heartfelt statements online.
Fendi wrote:
"Thank you Karl for the most beautiful journey
With all our love
Your Fendi family."
Thank you Karl for the most beautiful journey With all our love Your Fendi family
A post shared by Fendi (@fendi) on Feb 19, 2019 at 4:51am PST
And the Lagerfeld line wrote:
"The House of KARL LAGERFELD shares, with deep emotion and sadness, the passing of its creative director, Karl Lagerfeld, on February 19, 2019, in Paris, France. He was one of the most influential and celebrated designers of the 21st century and an iconic, universal symbol of style. Driven by a phenomenal sense of creativity, Karl was passionate, powerful and intensely curious. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as one of the greatest designers of our time, and there are no words to express how much he will be missed."
A post shared by KARL LAGERFELD (@karllagerfeld) on Feb 19, 2019 at 5:11am PST
Big names in fashion also mourned Lagerfeld's death on social media, including Carine Roitfeld, Donatella Versace, Bella and Gigi Hadid, and more.
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