(Bloomberg) -- Karl Lagerfeld, the German fashion designer who helped set the industry standard for five decades with collections that dressed celebrities from Princess Diana to actress Keira Knightley, has died, Women's Wear Daily reported.
Lagerfeld, the creative director at closely held Chanel for more than 35 years, was 85 years old. Recognizable for his high-collared shirts, white ponytail, dark sunglasses and black fingerless gloves, Lagerfeld was among the fashion trade's most prolific couturiers, producing outfits for the Paris-based luxury-goods maker, for Italy's Fendi SpA and for his own label -- all at the same time.
The Paris-based fashion guru, who earned the nickname “Kaiser Karl” for an uncompromising approach to his work, joined Chanel in 1983, more than a decade after the death of founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. He set about reviving the French maker of perfume and accessories with a modern look on its ready-to-wear lines, helping it become one of the industry's most successful companies.
To contact the reporter on this story: Robert Williams in Paris at rwilliams323@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Eric Pfanner at epfanner1@bloomberg.net, Marthe Fourcade, John Lauerman
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