Who was Karl Lagerfeld? The man who inspired this year’s Met Gala theme

This year’s Met Gala theme is ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’ and is intended to celebrate the work and life of Karl Lagerfeld. Guests of the event are tasked with finding the perfect outfit to fit the theme.

As Lagerfeld designed for many brands including Patou, Balmain, Chloé, Fendi, and Chanel, attendees should have no shortage of inspiration. So who exactly is Karl Lagerfeld? Let’s take a look.

Early life

Karl Lagerfeld was born on September 10, 1933, in Hamburg, Germany. His father, Otto Lagerfeld, was a businessman who owned a company that imported evaporated milk, while his mother, Elisabeth Bahlmann, was a lingerie saleswoman.

Lagerfeld showed an early interest in fashion and design, and he reportedly made his first sketches at the age of two. When he was 14, Lagerfeld moved with his family to Paris, where he enrolled in a private school and later attended the École des Beaux-Arts.

His work in fashion

After completing his studies, Lagerfeld began working as an assistant to designer Pierre Balmain in 1955. He later worked for a number of other high-profile fashion houses, including Jean Patou, Krizia, Chloé, and Fendi.

Lagerfeld had a long and successful career with Fendi, and would later become the creative director in 1977. He created many of the brand’s most memorable designs, including the famous double-F logo.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Lagerfeld established himself as a prominent figure in the fashion world, known for his innovative designs and impeccable taste. He eventually landed the position of creative director at Chanel in 1983, a position he held for the rest of his life.

Other accomplishments

In addition to his work in fashion, Lagerfeld was also a talented artist and photographer. He exhibited his photography and artwork in galleries around the world. He is also the recipient of many prestigious awards in fashion and art.

Lagerfeld received many awards throughout his career, including the Fashion Group International’s Superstar Award, the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s International Award.

His lasting impact

Despite his death in 2019, Lagerfeld is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential designers of the 20th and early 21st centuries. He left an indelible mark on the fashion industry and his legacy continues to inspire designers and fashion lovers alike.