More than a mere tastemaker, Karl Lagerfeld devoted himself to the continual pursuit of chic. “My life and my job,” the designer once said, “is to forget myself.” From his first collection at Chanel — after joining the brand in the early 1980s — he injected the venerable house with a frisson of modernity. Vintage Karl Lagerfeld designs for Chanel handbags, evening dresses, coats, jewelry and other clothing and accessories riffed on its iconography — tweed skirt suits, pearls, camellias — accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment.
During his five-decade career as a designer for Chanel, Fendi, Chloé and many others, Lagerfeld was a quintessential chameleon, ever evolving to embody the times. An outsize, instantly recognizable personality — his ponytail powdered like an 18th-century viscount, his eyes perpetually shielded by dark glasses, wearing fistfuls of chunky silver jewels — Lagerfeld was, above all, an avatar of style.
Born in Hamburg (in 1933, ’35, or ’38 by varying accounts), Karl Lagerfeld packed his bags for Paris in 1954. His design for a coat won him the International Wool Secretariat and landed him a job with the celebrated couturier Pierre Balmain.
Lagerfeld went on to become the designer of Jean Patou, eventually realizing that his seemingly endless ideas could fuel a career as a designer-for-hire. As such, he lent his vision to everyone from Loewe and Max Mara to Krizia and Charles Jourdan, nimbly moving among a diverse range of styles. It was an unprecedented way of working in the days when freelance was still a dirty word.
During the late ’60s and ’70s, Lagerfeld refashioned Chloé to reflect the free spirit of the day and, beginning in 1965, joined forces with the Fendi family, taking it from sleepy furrier to fashion’s haute-est stratum. Because of his track record for reviving and reimagining brands that had grown stagnant, in 1983 Lagerfeld was handed the reins at Chanel, which had been gathering dust since its founder’s heyday.
Lagerfeld’s collections for the brand displayed his knack for synthesizing old and new, high and low. From Watteau (Spring/Summer 1985 couture) and Serge Roche (Spring/Summer 1990 ready-to-wear) to hip-hop fly girls (Fall/Winter 1991 ready-to-wear), surfers (Spring/Summer 2003 ready-to-wear) and ancient Egypt (Pre-Fall 2019), he used each season’s inspiration to conceive Chanel’s signatures anew.
Lagerfeld revived the house's ballet flats and thoroughly embraced the classic logo's interlocking CCs, which became a common and immediately recognizable feature of Chanel flap bags. Many of the rare Chanel bags much sought after today — and Chanel bags of the 1990s, generally — are objects of pure fantasy conjured up by the late couturier.
Despite producing eight collections a year for Chanel, as well as four to five for Fendi, Lagerfeld never faltered in proposing new ideas each time he put pencil to paper.
Find vintage Karl Lagerfeld Chanel day dresses, jackets, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
Chanel cc pin label by Karl Lagerfeld circa 2015
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A Collection circa 2015 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Silvery metal cc pin label enameled with sky-blue. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Heig...
Huge Vintage Chanel Byzantine Rock Crystal Brooch by Karl Lagerfeld, 1997
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Vintage Chanel Byzantine Rock Crystal Brooch crafted for the Autumn Winter collection of 1997. A standout runway piece with craftmanship to match. Huge, tumbled rock crystal stones...
CHANEL by LAGERFELD Quatrefoil Large Crystal CC Logo Brooch 2009
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A mesmerizingly sparkly Chanel crystal brooch from the iconic Lagerfeld era. Featuring sumptuous, large cushion cut glass crystals surrounding a ...
Chanel brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Fall-Winter 1991
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1991 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Gripoix Atelier. Golden metal cross pendant brooch with costume pearls, pearly cabo...
Gilt Metal
Chanel brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Fall 2008
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2008 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Champagne metal openwork round brooch with a cc logo and ornamented with white and...
Chanel 'Timeless' pin by Karl Lagerfeld Fall-Winter 2002
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2002 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal "Timeless" bag brooch with black enameld and tiny costume-pearl handl...
Gilt Metal
Chanel camellia brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) White camellia brooch decorated with a black silk bow. A Collection circa 1985 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Very good conditi...
Chanel brooch fall-winter 1992
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Beaten golden metal brooch with colorful glass paste cabochons. 1992 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. C...
Gilt Metal
Chanel Pre-Fall 2015 Salzburg Sissi 15A Star Crystal Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Jersey City, NJ
A luminous collectible from Chanel’s Pre-Fall 2015 “Salzburg” Métiers d’Art collection, created as a celebration of the House’s ateliers and the romance of Austria. This starburst b...
Chanel 'bow' brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - Black silk bow brooch. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Height: 49 cm - Width: 18 cm SKU:BRB87
Chanel cc brooch Fall 2003 by Karl Lagerfeld
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2003 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Silvery metal cc brooch with pink and purple enamel, decorated with matching cc lo...
Chanel cc brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Fall-Winter 2008
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2008 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal cc brooch enameled with yellow and ornamented with tiny rhinestones. ...
Gilt Metal
$5,295
Chanel brooch fall 1995
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal brooch interlaced with black leather decorated with semi-precious stones and colorful rhinestones. 1995 Fall-Winter Collection under the artist...
Gilt Metal
Chanel brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Fall 2013
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2013 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Silvery metal openwork brooch decorated with diferent-size rhinestones and centere...
Vintage Chanel by Lagerfeld Large Deep Purple Silk Velvet Corsage Brooch 1980s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A super luxe and wonderfully large Vintage Chanel Corsage Brooch. Crafted in deep purple silk velvet with a silk backing and glossy stamens. In very good vintage condition, signed, a...
Chanel brooch 'Paris sous la neige' by Karl Lagerfeld Winter 2007
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2007 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear "Paris Sous La Neige" Collection, under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal brooch with pink rhinestones. Made in France....
$1,647
Chanel brooch 1990s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal brooch with glass paste cabochons and rhinestones. 2cc6 Collection. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: 8 cm x 8 cm SKU:BRB112
Gilt Metal
Chanel brooch fall-winter 1990
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal brooch decorated with glass paste and Swarovski rhinestones. 1990 fall-winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl La...
Chanel camellia brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Black fabric camellia brooch. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Diameter: 7.5 cm SKU:BRB117
Chanel brooch Summer 1995
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal brooch with green, red, and blue glass paste cabochons. 1995 Spring-Summer Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Conditi...
$1,647
Chanel cross brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal cross brooch with glass paste and costume pearly drops. 1997 Fall-Winter Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Condition:...
Chanel brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Fall 2017
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2017 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Champagne metal cc brooch set with rhinestones. Made in France. Condition: Very ...
Gilt Metal
Vintage Chanel LAGERFELD ERA Pastel Pink & Crystal Logo Brooch 1996
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A beautiful, large vintage Chanel Brooch. The perfect stylish investment piece. Featuring delightful faux rock crystal stones (resin) surrounding a salmon pink plaque (resin) that be...
Chanel brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Fall 2008
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2008 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Champagne metal CC brooch ornamented with white and pale-green costume pearls, and...
Gilt Metal
Chanel Brooch Glass Paste and Rhinestones, 1990s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Chanel - (Made in France) Golden metal brooch with glass paste and rhinestones. 2006 Collection. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: 5 cm x 5 cm Perio...
Chanel Brooch in Gold Metal, Rhinestones and Glass Paste
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Chanel -(Made in France) Brooch in gold metal, rhinestones and glass paste. Collection 2cc6. Brooch designed by Karl Largerfeld for Chanel. Work by the Woloch workshop. Additional...
Gilt Metal
Chanel cc brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Spring-Summer 2004
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2004 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Silvery metal brooch with Swarovski rhinestones and a cc logo. Made in France. ...
Chanel glass paste brooch fall-winter 1991
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal brooch ornamented with glass paste cabochons, colorful Swarovski rhinestones, and centered with a costume pearly cabochon. 1991 Fall-Winter Rea...
Gilt Metal
Chanel brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Fall-Winter 2003
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2003 Fall-winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Silvery metal cc brooch interspaced with enamel scratches in pale-yellow tones. M...
Chanel brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Winter 1991
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1991 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal brooch with glass paste cabochons and costume pearly drops. Made in ...
Gilt Metal
Chanel brooch 'circle' by Karl Lagerfeld Spring-Summer 2001
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2001 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear 'circle' Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Double medallion-like brooch made of fabric, leather, golden metal, and...
Gilt Metal
$1,647
Chanel brooch 1990s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Gold-tone metal brooch with mother-of-pearl cabochons and blue rhinestones. Ready-to-Wear Fall/Winter 1991-1992 Collection under the artistic direction of K...
Gilt Metal
Chanel 'clover' brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Cruise 2005
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2005 Cruise Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Silvery metal clover brooch ornamented with rhinestones and centered with the house logo. Made in Fr...
Chanel brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Winter 1991
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1991 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal brooch with glass-paste cabochons. Made in France. Condition: Very ...
Gilt Metal
Vintage Chanel Karl Lagerfeld Iconic CC Logo & Pearl Droplet Brooch 1994
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A very special Vintage Chanel Pearl Logo Brooch dating to the Autumn 1994 Collection with Lagerfeld as Creative Director. Featuring the iconic interlocking initials of Coco Chanel pl...
Gold Plate
Chanel cross brooch 1990s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal cross brooch with glass paste and costume pearls. A 2cc3 Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Very good condi...
Gilt Metal
$450Sale Price|20% Off
Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Iconic No. 5 Pin Brooche Perfume Bottle 2005
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
A highly collectible piece for Chanel enthusiasts, blending brand heritage with bold, graphic design. With an instantly recognizable Chanel design, this iconic No. 5 perfume bottle p...
$1,176
Chanel brooch 'bag' 2002
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal brooch representing a Chanel handbag ornamented with black Swarovski rhinestones. Small costume pearl handle. 2002 Fall-Winter Collection under...
Gilt Metal
$1,098Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Chanel brooch by Karl Lagerfeld in Salmon Pink Crusiform 1996
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in London, GB
This is a famous statement piece brooch from Chanel, designed by Karl Lagerfeld as a stylised flower with a salmon color enamelled centre which is surrounded by eight clear resine pe...
Other, Gold Plate
Chanel rhinestoned brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Fall 2004
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2004 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Silvery metal cc brooch decorated with heart-shaped rhinestones. Made in France. ...
Chanel brooch Spring 1992
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal openwork cordage-like brooch. 1992 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Very good...
Gilt Metal
Vintage Chanel 1994 Sun Brooch Pin with Interlocking CCs
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Ardmore, PA
Vintage Chanel Gold-Plated 1994 Sun Brooch Pin with Interlocking CCs Karl Lagerfeld Collection Excellent Condition
$9,766
Chanel cross broch 1994
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal pendant necklace with glass paste. Work from the Gripoix Atelier for Chanel. 1994 Fall-Winter Collection under the artistic direction of Karl L...
Gilt Metal
Chanel camellia brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Velvet camellia brooch sewn with golden sequins. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Diameter: SKU:BRB149
Chanel LAGERFELD Supermarket Collection Tweed Camellia Brooch 2014
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Chanel Supermarket collection brooch. A huge Camellia is worked in tweed with neon pink, orange, and yellow pops. Finished with a clust...
Chanel Brooch in Gilded Metal and Glass Paste
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Chanel -(Made in France) Brooch in gilded metal and glass paste. Collection 2cc5. Additional information: Dimensions: 5 cm x 5 cm Condition: Very good condition Seller Ref numbe...
Gilt Metal
Chanel cc brooch 1985-1990s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Quilted golden metal cc brooch. Jewelry from the 1985s-1990s under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: 4....
Gilt Metal
Chanel pendant brooch Summer 1994
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal pendant brooch with pearly drops, and orange and red glass paste. 1994 Spring-Summer Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld....
Chanel brooch Haute Couture by Karl Lagerfeld Winter 1986
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1986 Fall-Winter Haute Couture Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Gripoix Atelier. Golden metal brooch with glass paste. Condition: Very good condi...
Gilt Metal
Chanel glass paste brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Byzantine-style golden metal brooch with glass paste and Swarovski rhinestones. Jewelry from the late 1980s- early 1990s. Condition: Very good condition D...
Gilt Metal
Chanel simulated turquoise brooch 1994
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal brooch with turquoise-like glass paste pearls. 1994 Spring-Summer Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Very g...
$2,118
Chanel cameo brooch 1988
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal cameo with resin representing a winged horse. A 1988 Collection under the artistic direction Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Very good condition D...
Gilt Metal
Chanel CC Brooch Spring, Spring-Summer 1994
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Chanel - (Made in France) Golden metal cc brooch. 1994 Spring-Summer Collection. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: 6.5 cm x 5 cm Period: 20th Centur...
Chanel brooch Winter 1990
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal leaf brooch with resin. 1990 Fall-Winter Ready-to-Wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Very good conditi...
Gilt Metal
CHANEL FLOWER brooch pink pate de verre petals and rhinestone petals, early 1980
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Stuttgart, DE
CHANEL (Made in France) pink pate de verre and rhinestone petals brooch signed early 1980s in excellent condition HEYDAY – THE BROOCH MAKES A COMEBACK AND BRINGS A SMILE TO YOUR OUTFIT! Chanel camellia flower brooch/pendant by Gripoix, crafted from gold-tone metal leaves, pink Gripoix glass, and rhinestones. A truly exceptional CHANEL brooch from the 1980s. Coco Chanel’s favorite flower. Measurement: 9 cm in diameter, the petals are 4 cm x 2,5 cm Features - Original Chanel, signed on the backside, around the 1990s. - 3 petals with pink Gripoix glass past, around 0,5 cm thick - 3 petals filled with many seized rhinestones - Pistils standing tall in the middle - The brooch is in excellent condition and very unique - The matching pink Chanel necklace...
Crystal, Gilt Metal
$6,354
Iconic Chanel brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Iconic brooch in gold metal and bakelite. Collection 2cc5. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: 9,5 cm x 5,5 cm SKU:BRB122
Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld 1980's Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Get your next favourite Chanel piece today! This will be the Brooch you reach for on the daily as it has a paired back design but does not lack on beauty. From the wonderful and iconic Karl Lagerfeld you have got to get your hands on a piece of artwork. This is an early work of Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel! This brooch is a bright and bold gold color measuring 1.75 inches x 1.75 inches and is in great condition. The iconic 'CC' is embedded into the design as Lagerfeld took a more discreet approach to branding. Notice the swirled detailed cut out in the vibrant gold metal. Pair this Chanel brooch with your favorite suit set from Gucci or Chanel and some Prada slingback heels...
Chanel brooch, green Gripoix, handmade pearls, rhinstones, goldplated, 2CC3
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Stuttgart, DE
A wonderfully beautiful large Chanel brooch (made in France) by Viktoire de Castellane, signed 2CC3 for her first collection for Chanel. Four large...
Gilt Metal
Chanel Golden Metal Brooch with Glass Paste Cabochons, 1990s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Chanel - (Made in France) Golden metal brooch with glass paste cabochons. Jewellery from the 1990s. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Diameter: 4.5 ...
$1,647
Chanel cross brooch 2013
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Dark-silvery metal cross brooch with tweed. 2013 Fall-Winter Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Very good condition Dim...
Gilt Metal