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.” During his five-decade career designing shoes, handbags, evening dresses and other items 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. He 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, Lagerfeld 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, he 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.
From Lagerfeld's first Chanel collection, he injected the venerable house with a frisson of modernity. He riffed on its iconography — tweed skirt suits, pearls, camellias — accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment. 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.
Lagerfeld’s collections for Chanel, in particular, 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), Lagerfeld used each season’s inspiration to conceive Chanel’s signatures anew.
Browse a collection of sophisticated designs by Karl Lagerfeld on 1stDibs, including handbags and evening gowns for Chanel, vintage cocktail dresses for Chloé and more.
Y2K Karl Lagerfeld Vintage Black Skirt with Sheer Mesh Overlay
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Sparks, NV
Karl Lagerfeld black skirt with a sheer mesh overlay. Simple and chic. Details: Fully Lined Back Zip and Button Closure Marked Size: 40 Estimated Size: Medium Color: Black ...
Karl Lagerfeld Skirt with Handkerchief Hem
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous black wool jersey skirt from Karl Lagerfeld. It has a 2 1/2" wide waistband with overlapping pointed panels forming the skirt. It has a back zipper, front pockets and is...
1990s Chanel Ivory / Cream / Beige Size 40 Silk Essential Vintage Wrap Skirt
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing vintage Chanel wrap skirt. Beautiful ivory color, with speckles of beige, khaki, and cream throughout. Can easily be dressed up or down. Perfect for day or night. 100% silk, ...
Vintage Chanel Black Wool High Waisted 90s Bodycon Pencil Skirt Gold CC Buttons
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in San Diego, CA
Classic vintage 1990s CHANEL by KARL LAGERFELD, high waist black virgin wool skirt! Bodcon fit hugs the body in all the right places. Super soft virgin wool, and completely line in b...
Karl Lagerfeld Dipping Hem Chiffon Skirt
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in New York, NY
Karl Lagerfeld Dipping Hem Chiffon skirt with high cut waist and 2 slash pockets. A black faille straight skirt has an attached double layer chiffon skir...
Chanel circa 1992 Jupe longue FR38 Maxi Black Wool Gipsy Skirt UK10 US6
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel maxi skirt circa 1992 in black wool twill, high-waisted, fitted to the knees and flared—almost ruffled—at the hem, lined in black silk crepe, fastens with a button and zip. Th...
1990s Fendi By Karl Lagerfeld Vintage Turquoise Teal Blue Cotton Skirt w FF Belt
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful 90s FENDI by KARL LAGERFELD turquoise teal blue cotton high waisted pencil skirt! Detachable matching belt features a gold Fendi logo buckle. Pocke...
Karl Lagerfeld 1980s Grey Wool + Black Lace Vintage 80s Mini Maxi Skirt
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage 80s KARL LAGERFELD gray and black wool and lace mini maxi skirt ! Features soft grey wool with black mesh lace underlay. hidden zipper up the back with button closu...
CHANEL Number 5 red black white CC logo fair isle intarsia skirt FR34 XS
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL Number 5 red black white CC logo fair isle intarsia skirt FR34 XS Reference: CNLE/A00196 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: Fall 2019 - Runway Material: Cashme...
$576Sale Price|20% Off
CHANEL 2018 Runway light blue washed denim horse buttons shorts FR34 XS
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 2018 Runway light blue washed denim horse buttons shorts FR34 XS Reference: GEGG/A00026 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: 2018 Cruise - Runway Material: Denim...
Chanel 1990 Jupe Cuir Plisse FR36 Black Leather Mini Pleats Skirt UK8 US6
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel skirt from the Fall/Winter 1990 collection by Karl Lagerfeld in black leather (ultra-soft and supple), straight cut with micro-pleats at the front and small inverted pleats ar...
1990s Vintage Karl Lagerfeld Navy Blue Sexy Ruched Wool High Waisted Skirt
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in San Diego, CA
Figure flattering vintage Karl Lagerfeld navy skirt! Features ruching on front and back, with a slight asymmetrical hem. The finest of wools! Looks amazing on the body! Great with a ...
CHANEL 2013 Paris Dallas red multicolor cotton tweed fringe wrap skirt FR40 L
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 2013 Paris Dallas red multicolor cotton tweed fringe wrap skirt FR40 L Reference: AEMA/A00165 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: 2013 Paris Dallas Material: Co...
Chanel 2009 Jupe Double Crepe Soie Noir FR44 Black silk Crepe Cuttings UK16 US14
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel Fall/Winter 2009 collection skirt by Karl Lagerfeld in double black silk crepe. It features a straight skirt with a wide inverted pleat at the front, adorned with panels of th...
Fendi FW 2000 Karl Lagerfeld Beige & Red Trimmed Leather Runway Skirt IT 42
By Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Toronto, ON
Pre-owned Fendi Fall/Winter 2000 runway beige leather midi skirt featuring red leather trim and side zipper with FF logo button closure. Unlined. Attributed to Karl Lagerfeld. Deta...
Chanel 2016 Jupe Noir FR36 Metiers d Art Roma Black Tweed long Skirt UK8 US6
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel Pre-Fall or Métiers d'Art 2016 skirt (Extravangaza Roma) in black wool tweed, high-waisted with embellishments at the front and back, fastened at the front with a signature bu...
Chanel Purple Tweed Wool Skirt
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Paris, FR
Chanel Purple tweed wool skirt featuring a short A line, front logo button, front pockets, silk lining. Composition:95%wool, 5%polyamide Circa: 2003 In good vintage condition. Made ...
1970s Karl Lagerfield for Chloe Black Victoriana Silk Lace Skirt
By Chloé, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in London, GB
This late 1970s to early 1980s black silk taffeta 'Victoriana' skirt is by Chloe and made to almost couture standards. Throughout the fashion House's history, Chloe has always subsc...
1990s Karl Lagerfeld High Waisted Navy Blue Wool Ruched 90s VIntage Pencil Skirt
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in San Diego, CA
Super flattering early 1990s KARL LAGERFELD navy blue ruched virgin wool high waisted pencil skirt! Not just your basic pencil skirt...This gem features a dark midnight / navy blue s...
$960Sale Price|20% Off
CHANEL 18K black cotton tweed brown gold braided trim tweed skirt FR34 XS
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 18K black cotton tweed brown gold braided trim tweed skirt FR34 XS Reference: GEGG/A00035 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: 18K Material: Cotton, Blend Color:...
Chanel Lace-Trimmed Miniskirt
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Paris, FR
Chanel lace-trimmed miniskirt featuring high-shine finish, geometric print, CC-logo embossed button, high-waisted, lace trim, pleat detailing, side button ...
CHANEL 93P ivory wool gold CC logo button slit silk pencil skirt FR42 XL
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 93P ivory wool gold CC logo button slit silk pencil skirt FR42 XL Reference: MECG/A00381 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: 93P Material: Wool Color: Cream, Go...
Chanel 1995s Jupe Portefeuille FR40 Black Linen Jewelled Wrap Skirt UK12 US10
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel skirt by Karl Lagerfeld circa 1990 wrap-around style in black linen enhanced with Chanel logo buttons in gold metal, 2 slanted slit pockets, belt loops, silk lining. No more s...
Chanel Brown Cotton Slit Long Skirt
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Paris, FR
Chanel Brown cotton slit long skirt featuring a long front & back slit, side logo buttons & zip, front patch pockets. Circa 1999 In good vintage condition. Made in France. Compositi...
Navy silk pleated skirt Karl Lagerfeld for Bergdorf Goodman
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Navy silk pleated skirt. Button and buttonhole closure on the middle front. SIZE 40/ M
Chanel Black Cotton Tweed Lace Skirt
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Paris, FR
Chanel black fancy tweed pleated skirt featuring a textured cotton tweed fabric, a bottom lace finishing, a front shiny fancy button and logo hidden buttons, side pockets, full sil...
Vintage Karl Lagerfeld F/W 1993 Runway Collection Black Suede A-Line Skirt
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Karl Lagerfeld vintage fall/winter 1993 runway collection collectible black suede skirt. It has a wide waistband with overlapping pointed panels forming the skirt and featuring a ba...
CHANEL 07C black cotton tweed ruched waist silk lined mini skirt FR36 S
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 07C black cotton tweed ruched waist silk lined mini skirt FR36 S Reference: MELK/A00497 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: 07C Material: Cotton Color: Black Pa...
Chanel Charcoal Wool Kick Pleat Front Pocket Pencil Skirt Vintage
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chanel charcoal wool kick pleat front, curved hip front pocket, pencil skirt. 1990s dark charcoal wool skirt has a narrow band waist, the skirt closes at the side with a bar hook at ...
Torso Creations Black 2-Piece Fishnet & Silk Taffeta Tiered Flamenco Gown & Top
By Torso Creations
Located in Gresham, OR
Torso Creations Black 2-Piece Fishnet & Silk Taffeta Tiered Flamenco Skirt & Top: Burlesque-inspired black fishnet cropped top is trimmed in fringe wit...
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
Size: XS
1970s Arnold Scaasi Vintage Metallic Gold Lamé Silk Dress/ Gown (Skirt + Top)
By Arnold Scaasi
Located in Sparks, NV
Stunning vintage 1970s 2-piece evening dress ensemble by Arnold Scaasi in metallic gold printed silk lamé. This ensemble fits like a modern size XS. The top is fully lined with rear ...
Yves Saint Laurent "Rive Gauche" 90s Black Wool & Leather Fringe Wrap Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Enjoy this item as part of our Holiday Sale, for one week! Yves Saint Laurent "Rive Gauche" vintage 1990s Black Wool & Leather Fringe Wrap Skirt Discover this stunning early 90s...
1980s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Vintage Quilted Metallic Gold Pencil Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Sparks, NV
Vintage 1980s metallic gold quilted pencil skirt by Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. Fully lined with side zip and hook closure and pockets. The marked size is 38, and the skirt fits ...
CHANEL grey denim mini skirt FR 34
By Chanel
Located in Rubiera, RE
CHANEL Collection Spring 2011 Mini skirt Denim jeans, grey, distressed red Size FR 34 Made in Italy Flat measures: Length cm. 36 Waist cm. 34 Hip cm. 42 Very good cond...
1800S Black Victorian Silk & Lace Tiered Skirt With Appliqués
Located in New York, NY
1800S Black Victorian Silk & Lace Tiered Skirt With Appliqués
$695
Size: FR 34 and 38, best fits 2/4
Louis Vuitton Black Bustier Tank and Skirt Set with Bow Detail at Shoulders
By Louis Vuitton
Located in San Francisco, CA
Louis Vuitton black shirt and skirt set. Tank features a bubble style hem and bows at each shoulder with pleat detailing at bust. Seam detail at back. Top fastens at back with hook a...
Chanel Cruise 2019 White Black Gold Terrycloth 19C Mini Skirt
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Chanel Cruise 2019 terrycloth mini skirt in white, finished with black trim and a metallic gold stripe at the waist. The front pockets are detailed with gold-tone CC buttons for a c...
YSL Yves Saint Laurent Vintage 1960s 60s Gray Wool Pencil Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Sparks, NV
Gorgeous tailored gray wool skirt by Yves Saint Laurent. Details: Fully Lined Side Metal Zip and Hook Closure Marked Size: 38 Estimated Size: Small Color: Gray Fabric: Wool Label: ...
Valentino Vintage Multi Color Sequins Semi Sheer Evening Skirt M
By Valentino
Located in Montgomery, TX
Valentino Vintage Multi Color Sequins Semi Sheer Evening Skirt Size/Composition label cut-off, approx. size M Sheer tulle fully embellished with multi color sequins and beads. Yellow...
Celine 1970s Vintage Cashmere Plaid Pleated Skirt Women's Size 42
By Celine
Located in Miami, FL
The most beautiful soft Celine skirt in a soft plaid of grey and yellow and browns and a cashmere mix fabric. The front has a leather band at the front and the and a metal and ename...
Chanel 2011 Jupe Tweed Kaki FR34 Green Pink Wool Double Zipper Skirt UK6 US4
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel FW 2011 collection skirt in wool tweed in shades of green and dusty rose, high-waisted, mid-length and slightly A-line, fastened with a CC logo button and a gold metal zipper ...
Chanel White Denim Pencil Skirt
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Paris, FR
Chanel White denim high-waisted skirt featuring embossed metal 'CC' buttons, front button and rear zipper closing. Circa: 1990s Composition:98% Cotton, 2% Spandex In good vintage con...
CHANEL 14P Runway navy cream bow applique ribbed waist tulle lined skirt FR36 S
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 14P Runway navy cream bow applique ribbed waist tulle lined skirt FR36 S Reference: GEGG/A00017 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: 14P - Runway Material: Polya...
CHANEL 96A black wool tweed CC silver logo button pencil skirt FR44 XXL
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 96A black wool tweed CC silver logo button pencil skirt FR44 XXL Reference: CNLE/A00229 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: 96A Material: Wool, Blend Color: Bla...
CHANEL Vintage red speckled boucle navy tartan pencil skirt FR34 XS
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL Vintage red speckled boucle navy tartan pencil skirt FR34 XS Reference: CNLE/A00260 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Material: Feels like wool Color: Red, Multicolour Pa...
CHANEL black pink silk cotton blend tweed knit rubber braid trim skirt FR36 S
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL black pink silk cotton blend tweed knit rubber braid trim skirt FR36 S Reference: TGAS/D00941 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Material: Silk, Cotton, Blend Color: Pink,...
CHANEL Number 5 red black white CC logo fair isle intarsia skirt FR34 XS
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL Number 5 red black white CC logo fair isle intarsia skirt FR34 XS Reference: CNLE/A00196 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: Fall 2019 - Runway Material: Cashme...
CHANEL light beige gold CC logo button flared skater skirt FR40 L
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL light beige gold CC logo button flared skater skirt FR40 L Reference: TGAS/E00147 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Material: Viscose, Blend Color: Cream, Gold Pattern: S...
Resort 2018 Chanel Shiny Tweed Skirt FR40
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel skirt from Cruise 2018 collection by Karl Lagerfeld in light purple cashmere tweed mixed with silver and white threads, elastic waist closed with a zip and a hook, unlined. Si...
Resort 2012 Chanel Skirt FR38 Colorfull Knt
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Short Chanel skirt from the Cruise 2012 collection in cotton knit in shades of pink, green and ecru, low waist held in place by a drawstring, bottom of the skirt decorated with a cro...
1990s Chanel Iconic Buckles Skirt FR36/38
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel circa 1990 straight skirt in ultra soft dark brown leather with striped leather inserts decorated with gold metal chain belt buckles, matching CC logo silk lining, zip and but...
CHANEL Karl Lagerfeld 99P Vintage cream tweed pearl button midi skirt FR40 L
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL Karl Lagerfeld 99P Vintage cream tweed pearl button midi skirt FR40 L Reference: CNLE/A00241 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: 99P Material: Cotton, Blend Col...