PUMANAW na ang iconic designer na si Karl Lagerfeld, ang artistic director ng Chanel at icon ng fashion industry dahil sa kanyang mga bonggang outfits at striking catwalks, sa edad na 85.

Kilala sa kanyang dark suits, pony-tailed white hair at sunglasses, tanyag si Karl sa kanyang asosasyon sa Chanel ngunit “he delivered collections for LVMH’s Fendi” at mayroon na siyang sariling label.

Kumalat ang mga usap-usapang malala na ang sakit ni Karl nang hindi ito makadalo sa January show ng Chanel sa Paris para sa kanyang customary bow.

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Bilang pagbibigay-pugay sa yumaong fashion icon, nagbalik-tanaw ang Chanel chief executive na si Alain Wertheimer tungkol sa kung paano niya ipinagkatiwala kay Karl ang brand noong 1980s “to reinvent (it)”, mula sa Chanel jacket hanggang sa tweeds at two-tone shoes.

“Thanks to his creative genius, generosity and exceptional intuition, Karl Lagerfeld was ahead of his time, which widely contributed to the House of Chanel’s success throughout the world,” sabi ni Alain sa isang pahayag.

Tanyag si Karl sa kanyang pamosong visual fashion show displays.

Ayon naman kay LVMH chairman and chief executive Bernard Arnault, nawalan ang fashion world ng isang creative genius na tumulong sa Paris, ang fashion capital ng mundo, at ang Fendi, ang isa sa pinakamakabagong Italian houses.

“I will always remember his immense imagination, his ability to conceive new trends for every season, his inexhaustible energy, the virtuosity of his drawings, his carefully guarded independence, his encyclopedic culture and his unique wit and eloquence,” sabi ni Bernard.

Inanunsiyo naman ng Chanel na si Virginie Viard, director of the house’s creative studio, ay sasalo sa creative work para sa brand’s collections. Sinitsit ng ilang source sa Reuters na ang appointment “was transitional and that Lagerfeld’s successor would be announced after the mourning period.”

Isinilang sa Hamburg noong 1933, nag-debut si Karl sa fashion world kasama ang designer na si Pierre Balmain bilang apprentice bago siya lumipat sa Patou and Chloe at sa Fendi.

“He was one of the most influential and celebrated designers of the 21st century and an iconic, universal symbol of style,” post ng sarili niyang brand, ang Karl Lagerfeld, sa Instagram.

“He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as one of the greatest designers of our time.”

Inihayag naman ng Fendi na tuloy pa rin ang planong Milan fashion show ng latest line ni Karl para sa brand sa Thursday.

“The House of Fendi is in deep mourning following the death of Karl Lagerfeld, who left his mark and genius with us for more than five decades,” sabi nito.

“Now is not the time to discuss his succession. We intend to take the time to honor his life and pay him the tribute he deserves.”