Lagerfeld passed away on Tuesday 19th February in Paris, according to WWD.
“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," said Chanel chief executive officer Alain Wertheimer. "Today, not only have I lost a friend, but we have all lost an extraordinary creative mind to whom I gave carte blanche in the early '80s to reinvent the brand." Wertheimer has entrusted Viard with the creative work for the collections, “so that the legacy of Gabrielle Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld can live on."
Concerns were raised for the German-born designer after he missed the Chanel Paris fashion show in January due to ill health.
It was the first time Lagerfeld had ever missed giving a bow at the end of a catwalk show in his three-decade reign at the iconic fashion house.
At the time, the company issued a statement explaining he had been feeling tired.
“Mr Lagerfeld, artistic director of Chanel, who was feeling tired, asked Virginie Viard, director of the creative studio of the house, to represent him,” a statement from Chanel read.
The designer's celebrity friends, muses and the fashion industry alike have taken to social media to farewell the visionary. Here, the most touching tributes to the late designer...
Victoria Beckham:
"So incredibly sad to hear this. Karl was a genius and always so kind and generous to me both personally and professionally. RIP 💔x vb"
Diane Kruger:
"Karl.....I cannot tell you how much you meant to me and how much I will miss you ♥️ I will never forget your kindness towards me, your laughs, your imagination ♥️ I came to France to see you this week and introduce you to my daughter...I’m heartbroken I was too late ♥️ Rest In Peace, I adore you ♥️"
Alexa Chung:
"Rest in peace, Karl. I remember being so scared to interview you and yet you were in fact incredibly witty and generous. Thank you for inviting me to some of the most glamorous experiences of my life, it was an honour to know you. Oh yeah and thanks for the dry shampoo tip, will always think of you as I powder my wig. ❤️"
Sam McKnight:
"Dear Karl, it has been an enormous pleasure. I’m honoured to have known you. ❤️"
Donatella Versace:
"Karl your genius touched the lives of so many, especially Gianni and I. We will never forget your incredible talent and endless inspiration. We were always learning from you."
Kim Kardashian
"We lost a true legend!!!! You were such an inspiration to the world! You shot my first fashion shoot and I was so nervous to work with such an icon! The world is so much chicer because you existed! I am beyond honored to have met you and had the opportunity to work with you. You are so loved and will be so missed 💔"
Gigi Hadid:
"Karl, I will miss your indescribable presence, watching your calm, quiet, genius mind working, your little jokes, amazing stories, and experiencing the clothes, sets, and productions only you could dream up. Thank you for believing in me and for the beautiful, incredible opportunities you brought to my career, but mostly, thank you for giving me the honor of knowing the magic behind the myth. There will never be another Karl Lagerfeld. I am overwhelmed with sadness today, but also with so much love, admiration, and gratitude for you. To all his beloved friends and colleagues, and his favorite girl Choupette🐾, my heart is with you. ❤️ Rest In Peace King Karl. I didn’t want this day to come. 💔"
Bella Hadid:
"It’s so hard to work today being in Rome, thinking about Karl. This was the day I closed the Fendi show on the Trevi Fountain, and I can remember exactly the way Karl made me feel. He always supported me and made me feel worthy even in times, like this day, where I didn’t feel deserving of a moment this beautiful. there were so many emotions tied to the times I had the honor of working with him and now I feel all of those emotions running through me again, while reminiscing his life and our memories together. forever will remember this moment, thank you Karl. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️"
Lindsay Lohan:
"My heart is broken. Thank you for everything x"
David Beckham:
"'Evolution is the secret for the next step' - rest in peace, Karl Lagerfeld ❤"
Marion Cotillard:
"Dear Karl
Dear maestro
Your Being was so vibrante, your profound kindness, your curiosity of the world and humanity touched me so deeply. What you have left is Alive, Luminous and Bright. The world Genius suits you perfectly. Thank you for the beauty, the humor, the poetry, the authenticity, the excellence, the passion and the love. Thank you for giving so much to France. And to Art. I wish you a wonderful and peaceful journey. With all my love.♥️♥️♥️ Marion"
Linda Evangelista:
"💔 Karl... Great love of my life. 💔@karllagerfeld @chanelofficial 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔"
Marc Jacobs:
"Waking up to a world without Karl. So sad. And strange. He was a great inspiration to me, and, undeniably a unique and extraordinary talent. RESPECT. Rest In Peace KL 🖤"
Kris Jenner:
"You bought so much beauty, style and grace to this world. Karl, you will forever be a true legend, an icon, an inspiration. It was such a thrill and a pleasure to have met you, to have worked with you, and to have experienced the amazing times when you would photograph my girls for your beautiful campaigns. There will never be another like you, my dear friend, and you will be truly missed. 💔#KarlLagerfeld"
Lily Allen:
"You made me feel like a princess. I never quite understood what you saw in me but I am forever grateful for the support that you and Chanel have given me over the last 15 years. Rest In Peace Karl, you were a true genius and will be missed, so much."
Olivier Rousteing:
"It was shot by you 🖤
How one can describe with words losing the person he looks up to and aspires the most, source of inspiration and motivation. A true legend that never played by the rules but also set most of the ones people follow today. A person that put his heart so much into his work that the world fell in love with him for generations. You have been a school for all of us, you will always be present, reminding and defining what fashion is. Has been an honor to meet you.
Au revoir à un vrai Monsieur, nous t’aimerons pour toujours."
Lily Rose Depp:
"Cher Karl, que dire pour exprimer à quel point vous allez nous manquer. The world will never know another force like you. My heart is so heavy today, but so full of gratitude for all that you have taught and done for me. Your kindness, humour, and loyalty will live on in the hearts of those who knew you and your genius will live on forever. I feel so lucky to have been able to work with you so closely, but even luckier to have known your heart and incredible spirit. I will hold every moment spent with you so dear. Words can’t express how much your belief in me has impacted every aspect of my life; it is a gift I could never thank you enough for. You truly made my dreams come true. Thinking of my Chanel family today and all those who knew and loved Karl ❤️ Karl, on vous aime. Merci, merci, merci. Vous êtes éternel."
Gwyneth Paltrow:
"Dearest @karllagerfeld there will never be another like you. Thank you for your incredible contribution to fashion and wit. 💔"
Kendall Jenner:
"today is the only full super moon in Virgo this year— what an honor to be a part of your beautiful shows. what an honor to be your bride. what an honor to be your friend. ❤️ RIP Karl, you are greatness in its purest form. we will remember you forever indeed, Virgo"
Helena Christensen:
"Karl, since the day I first walked into your office on rue Chambon you took me under your wing and brought me along on an incredible journey. My first campaign ever was for Chanel, the second for the Karl Lagerfeld brand. We did numerous campaigns and shoots together in the years that followed but the real beauty and luck about that was getting to know you, observe you, learn from you, laugh with you, enjoy so many special moments with you. You knew everything about everything! I saw you last time at the Chanel show at the MET and I wanted to run out to you on the runway and hug you because I had a feeling.. well, I don’t think you passed away, you were just picked up by a UFO and brought back to the planet you’re from. Because you were as close to a super human that I have ever come across. I will miss you very much and always think of you. You gave me so much.. ❤️❤️❤️ My life number is 19 💔2-19-2019 RIP"
Naomi Campbell:
"Karl .. too many memories to write ... , I THANK YOU , THANK YOU, THANK YOU !!! For taking the chance on 16 year old girl from South London and opening my eyes . May you Rest with Highest 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔🙏🏾"
