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Karl Lagerfeld has died at age 85

It's a sad day for the fashion world.

Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has passed away at age 85 after weeks of being unwell, reports Closer France confirm.

The news comes after the formidable Chanel designer missed his end-of-show-bow at Paris Fashion Week this January, as he was unable to attend. 

The fashion house at the time said he was feeling tired.

Karl, who is German-born, started his designer career with Chanel in 1983 and has been one of their most iconic designers ever since.

The public knew him for his signature white ponytail, dark sunglasses, and monochrome outfits.

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(Credit: Getty)

Lagerfeld recently missed Chanel’s spring 2019 haute couture show in Paris on January 22, as reports claim that he was in poor health.

In a statement, Chanel announced: “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.’”

The brand has since announced that Virginie Viard, Director of Chanel’s Fashion Creation Studio (and Karl Lagerfeld’s closest collaborator), will take over his role.

Rest easy Karl.

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