Happiness is the same price as red bottoms

Cali Life

Karl Lagerfeld: Fashion Icon

The German designer and creative director of Chanel has passed at the age of 85. Lagerfeld worked up until his death and will always be one of fashions most iconic figures. His signature ponytail, dark glasses, and all black apparel was envied and recognizable everywhere around the world. The House of Chanel has always been my favorite luxury and ready to wear brand since I was a little girl. Bruno Pavlovsky, President of Fashion at CHANEL, said: “Fashion show after fashion show, collection after collection, Karl Lagerfeld left his mark on the legend of Gabrielle Chanel and the history of the House of CHANEL. Karl's creativity, quick wit and style will always be remembered and never forgotten by everyone in the fashion industry. 

Here is a timeline of Karls career, favorite quotes of mine, and photos of him along his journey with Chanel. Rest in Peace to a true fashion legend.

Timeline of Karl's fashion journey 1954-2019

1954

• Karl wins an award in the coats category at the International Wool Secretariat.

1955

 •Lagerfeld is offered a job as Pierre Balmain's assistant, who quickly took his winning illustration to production.

1957

• Lagerfeld moves to work with French fashion designer Jean Patou, beginning to design two haute couture collections per year.

1958-1960

 • A career break was much needed for Lagerfeld, who took two years away from Paris to spend mostly on beaches. He remarked, “I guess I studied life.”

1962

• Lagerfeld begins his freelance career by starting with the Italian couture brands Tiziani and Valentino.

1964

 • Lagerfeld joined the French fashion house at Chloé as a freelancer. Karl worked with designer Evan Richards, which lead to him having one of his most famous clients being actress Elizabeth Taylor. 

1965

• Lagerfeld joins Fendi as head designer for its ready-to-wear and fur collections.

1966

• After three years working alongside other designers at Chloé, Lagerfeld takes role as creative director for the brand.

1974

• Showing 200 looks, Lagerfeld’s Chloé show is said to have “set a new direction for the fashion world” in terms of the way he designed separates. Some looks included loose cardigans layered over V-necked pullovers and blouses with ruffled collars and sleeves.
• Lagerfeld is set to launch his first perfume under Chloé. 

1977

• While Lagerfeld has become known at Chanel for his elaborate fashion show sets, he actually started the practice during his time at Chloé, most notably his “Fellini’s Casanova” show.

1983

• With the end of his contract, Lagerfeld leaves his role as creative director at Chloé. He signs on as the new couturier at Chanel.

1984

• Lagerfeld launches his namesake label, Karl Lagerfeld. He claimed it would be used to fashion “intellectual sexiness”.

1987

• Lagerfeld adds photographing to his list of job titles throughout his career. He was known for photographing his own campaigns for Fendi and Chanel. He also did photography for magazine editorials, such as Harper’s Bazaar and international versions of Vogue.

1988

• Partnering with Steilmann, Europe’s largest apparel manufacturing group, Lagerfeld creates KL by Karl Lagerfeld, a more affordable line than his namesake ready to wear brand

1992

• Lagerfeld rejoins Chloé for his second time designing for the brand. 
• Dunhill Holdings PLC acquires the Karl Lagerfeld brand for a reported 16 million pounds, or $28.9 million.

1997

• Lagerfeld leaves Chloé.

1999

• Karl opens a book shop called 7L, in Paris. The store offers a large assortment of books on fashion, architecture and photography, among other topics.

2004

• In his first foray into the mass market, Lagerfeld teams up with H&M to create a collection of women’s and men’s clothing. The collection sells out immediately after launch.
• Tommy Hilfiger Corp. acquires the Karl Lagerfeld brand. The parent company has plans to grow the brand internationally.

2005

• Tommy Hilfiger Corp. shutters Lagerfeld’s contemporary label, returning the focus on the designer’s ready to wear collection.
• With its parent company, Lagerfeld launches K Karl Lagerfeld, his first denim line.

2008

• Lagerfeld’s name is added to Le Petit Larousse Illustré, France’s most iconic dictionary.

2010

• Lagerfeld receives the Couture Council Fashion Visionary Award from the Fashion Institute of Technology, a special honor which was created for him.

2012

• Lagerfeld teams with Carine Roitfeld on a traveling exhibition called “The Little Black Jacket” based on photographs taken by the designer of his favorite muses wearing Chanel’s famous jacket.
• Known for using the brand’s makeup for his fashion sketches, Lagerfeld teams with Shu Uemura for a holiday collection of color cosmetics.

2014

• The designer jumps back into the fragrance game, this time creating a line of women’s and men’s scents under Interparfums. Industry sources estimate the brand will earn $70 million in its first year.

2015

• For his namesake brand, Lagerfeld unveils his first kids’ collection, which includes 140 pieces.
• Lagerfeld received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards.
• The designer launches “The Karl Daily,” which is a satirical take on his sketches and photography and shows his brand’s latest collection. Some 150,000 copies are distributed in Europe and Japan.

2017

• The designer receives Paris’ highest honor: At the Chanel couture show.

• The house of Chanel shares its financial figures for the first time: £1.35 billion had been made the previous year.

2018

• Lagerfeld brings his namesake brand to SoHo with its first flagship.
• The designer teams with model Kaia Gerber for a capsule collection for the brand, which includes rtw, accessories, shoes and jewelry ranging from $35 to $1,045.

2019

• For the first time in his 54 years at Fendi, Lagerfeld designs a men’s look for the brand’s runway show.

My favorites of Karl

"Black and white always looks modern, whatever that word means."

"I am a working-class person, working with class."

"What I enjoy doing most is doing something I've never done before."

"No, I never thought I would like cats."

"Everything has changed and nothing has changed more than the fashion world."

"I never fall in love."

“Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants."

"Keep the best, forget the rest."

"People who say that yesterday was better than today are ultimately devaluing their own existence."

"I don’t care if people I admire criticize me because their opinion is valuable to me."

Happy Galentines Day

You don't need a boyfriend or significant other to enjoy flowers, sweet treats or eat a delicious meal on Valentine's day! Turn V-day into ME-day or G-day, hang out with your besties or just treat yourself! Here are some fun last minute ideas for you and your favorite gal pals!

For your bestie who loves taking selfies or just creating cute memories with her girls! This rose quartz Instax Polaroid camera is $10 off right now at Target! 

This large heart marble jewelry bowl is perfect for any small rings, dainty necklaces or just everyday jewelry you want to keep safe at the end of the day. Francescas is doing a sale online 50% off one full priced item and BOGO 50% off in store! Free shipping on $60 or more orders online too.

For your bestie that is always your personal makeup artist, this Friends TV theme makeup bag is so cute & perfect for any makeup enthusiast! I mean come on, who doesn't like FRIENDS? Use GIFT15 today (February 13th 2019) to get 15% off your online purchase! 

Which gal pal is the foodie of the group? Maybe even your friend that is creative and loves to relax, this coloring book is the perfect stress reliever! Pies,Fries, and Ice-cream is a fun activity to do at home while having a snack or glass of wine. Amazon Prime users, FREE shipping for orders $25 or more right now, go add this to your cart!

Who doesn't love to dance all night? Your girl will love this crystal clear retro bluetooth speaker  for those late night jam sessions! This speaker is perfect to get the party started anywhere.

Coffee-holics where are you? These personalized mugs are adorable, & not to mention perfect for those morning chats after a fun & late girls night out!

Everyone has that one bestie that always brings the "tea" and loves every minute of it! Show your chatty bestie why you love her & of course stir the pot to see what else she has to spill! 

Show your bestie you love her to the moon & back with this Astrology relationship book! This Astrology book is perfect for any relationship or friendship! This book talks about how to improve any relationship & understand each other better! 

For your Girl Boss bestie that is single as F**K and doesn't need a boy! This phone case is hilarious and come on, boys suck sometimes right? Check out there website for this phone case and many more fun products to choose from! Website sale is going on until midnight tonight (February 13th 2019) with code HEART30, you get 30% off entire site!

Xo Nik