Remembering Karl Lagerfeld With His Own Words

Photo via Karl Lagerfeld's Twitter Account

A quote from legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld who passed away on February 19th in Paris, France

Legendary and iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld passed away on February 19, 2019 in Paris sending a wave of sadness across the fashion industry and fashion fans alike. 

The New York Times called Lagerfeld a designer who "defined luxury" and it is absolutely true!  The iconic "Uncle Karl" as fashion fans affectionately called Lagerfeld was the creative director of Chanel since 1983 and Fendi since 1965! He obviously loved what he did and worked all the way until he could no longer do so at the age of 85 just as he stated that he would. 

I woke up on the morning of February 19th (today) and checked my phone as per usual.  I clicked on Instagram and the first thing I saw was a post from Steven Kolb, CEO and President of the CFDA saying "RIP Karl" followed by a quote.  That is how I found out the news. I started to process the information and thought about how much Karl truly inspired me in my daily life.

Screenshot via Steven Kolb's Instagram account

Screenshot of CFDA CEO and President Steven Kolb's Instagram post honoring Karl Lagerfeld and announcing that he had passed away on February 19, 2019

Karl Lagerfeld inspired me because he was truly not afraid to be himself. Of course he was a fashion design genius but for me the way he carried himself personally was what inspired me.  I have always been "extra" and seeing a man in the spotlight and public eye that was unabashedly "extra" as well as successfully spoke to me in volumes! I loved the way he dressed to the beat of his own drum in his iconic uniform and sunglasses and also how he always carried a hand fan. Years later a friend would gift me a hand fan and I would carry it around and use it when I was out and about at events and parties and think how Karl would probably approve.  When people would comment about it I would say it was my homage to Karl Lagerfeld but it also was practical and helped me cool off when the room got hot.  People were always saying that they wished they had brought one with them too. Cooling off while looking chic is just a small reward for channeling Uncle Karl.

Photo via Karl Lagerfeld's Twitter Account

Karl Lagerfeld receiving the Paris' highest honor, the Grand Vermeil medal, from Paris' Mayor Anne Hidalgo in 2017

Karl Lagerfeld was always fabulous, sometimes controversial and never apologetic about what he did or said.  Because of this I figured the best way to honor him was by sharing 10 of my favorite quotes directly from Uncle Karl.  

Check them out below and be sure to leave your favorite quotes in the comment section.

Photo via Karl Lagerfeld's Twitter Account

Karl Lagerfeld with a stuffed animal version of his beloved cat Choupette

Karl Lagerfeld Quotes:

1. “When I was four, I asked my mother for a valet for my birthday. I wanted my clothes prepared so I could wear anything I wanted at any time of the day. I was a clothes freak. And I was mad for dressing differently at least four times a day.”

2. “I don’t believe in lifetime achievement. For me it is all about the next collection.”

3. “To say that there is no fashion anymore is ridiculous. The fashion of no-fashion is still fashion. And fashion is a train that waits for nobody. Get on it, or it’s gone.”

Photo via Vogue UK Online

Karl Lagerfeld with his iconic hand fan

4. “I design like I breathe. You don’t ask to breathe. It just happens.”

5. "I am like a caricature of myself, and I like that. It is like a mask. And for me the Carnival of Venice lasts all year long."

6. "Be politically correct, but please don't bother other people with conversation about being politically correct, because that's the end of everything. You want to create boredom? Be politically correct in your conversation."

Photo via Vogue UK Online

Karl Lagerfeld in his younger years

7. "Please don't say I work hard. Nobody is forced to do this job and if they don't like it, they should do another one. If it's too much, do something else. But don't start doing it and then say, 'Aaaah, it's too much'. Because a lot of people depend on it. What we do at Chanel, thousands of people work on these things; these things are sold in hundreds and hundreds of shops all over the world. People like the big machine, and the money the big machine involves, but the effort... Then, suddenly, they become artists. They are too weak. Too fragile. Non. We have to be tough. We cannot talk about our suffering. People buy dresses to be happy, not to hear about somebody who suffered over a piece of taffeta. Me, I like to make an effort. I like nothing better than concrete reality. I'm a very down-to-earth person, but it is my job to make that earth more pleasant."

8.  "You know, personally, I don't even think I'm that famous. Now, Choupette really is famous. She has become the most famous cat in the world. I even get propositioned by pet food companies and things like that, but it's out of the question. I'm commercial. She's not. She's spoiled to death. Obviously."

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

10. "We created a product nobody needs, but people want. If you need an ugly old car, it can wait, but if you want a new fashion item, it cannot wait."

Photo via Vogue UK Online

A very young Karl Lagerfeld 

Thank you Karl Lagerfeld for everything you gave us!  The world will be a little less fabulous without you in it but thank you for giving us the tools and words to try to remain as chic as you were.

Photo via Vogue UK Online

Karl Lagerfeld takes a bow