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 Black Satin Crystal CC Clutch Chain Evening Bag Rare Designer
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in San Jose, CA
Chanel Black Satin Crystal CC Clutch with Silver Chain Shoulder Strap, rare luxury designer evening bag perfect for high fashion events, weddings, cocktail nights, and glamour closet...
Dior Galliano 2006 Y2K Black Leather Logo Satchel Bag
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage Christian Dior black leather hobo shoulder bag from the John Galliano era. Authentic 2006 Dior leather handbag featuring soft black leather, braided handles, silver Dior logo...
Louis Vuitton Epi Demi Lune Shoulder Bag Black Y2K Vintage
By Louis Vuitton
Located in San Jose, CA
Authentic Louis Vuitton Demi Lune shoulder bag crafted in black Epi leather with a sleek semicircle silhouette and subtle LV embossing. This vintage Y2K Louis Vuitton design features a fixed shoulder strap and structured underarm profile. The textured Epi leather offers durability while keeping the look refined and minimal. A magnetic snap closure secures essentials while the compact interior fits a phone, cardholder, keys, and small daily items. The curved demi lune shape sits comfortably under the arm and reflects the understated luxury handbags popular in the early 2000s. A versatile vintage Louis Vuitton piece suited for everyday wear, travel, or evening styling. Crafted in France from Louis Vuitton's signature Epi leather. Brand: Louis Vuitton Model: Demi Lune Shoulder Bag Era: Early 2000s Vintage / Y2K Color: Black Material: Epi leather Style: Underarm shoulder bag Closure: Magnetic snap Size: Approx. 10.25" W x 6.75" H Made in France Condition: Excellent pre-owned condition. Interior and exterior clean with minimal wear. Structure remains strong. Includes original Louis Vuitton dust bag. Keyword Block: louis vuitton epi demi lune bag, vintage louis vuitton shoulder bag, y2k louis vuitton bag, louis vuitton epi leather bag, black epi lv handbag, early 2000s louis vuitton purse...
Chanel Black Velvet Patent Leather Strappy Buckle Sandals G32406 37 CC Logo
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in San Jose, CA
Authentic Chanel strappy sandals crafted with black velvet buckle straps and a glossy patent leather heel counter. This elevated design features gold-tone hardware and a signature CC...
Chanel 2008Black Embellished Strappy Heels 41 Gold Icon Studs Sandals
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in San Jose, CA
Rare Chanel embellished strappy heels from the Fall/Winter 2008 collection under Karl Lagerfeld. Size 41 (fits like US 10.5–11), with black textile straps adorned in signature gold Chanel icons—camellias, CC logos, clovers, stars, and crystals. A true collector's piece with a refined silhouette and 4.25" stiletto heel. These designer heels are perfect for holiday parties, weddings, luxury events, or elevated everyday looks. The slim straps are lightweight but secure, with an adjustable ankle buckle for a flattering, supportive fit. Condition: Pre-owned, rated Good. Light wear to soles and minor cosmetic signs of use on fabric, but no structural flaws. Style with a midi slip dress or wide-leg trousers and a fitted blazer for the ultimate old money meets fashion-forward vibe. A must for collectors of vintage Chanel and Y2K runway fashion. Great for Chanel lovers, collectors, stylists, or anyone looking for a timeless investment shoe with edge. Keywords: Chanel heels, black strappy heels, embellished sandals, Karl Lagerfeld Chanel, wedding guest shoes, holiday party heels, designer heels size 11, rare Chanel runway shoes...
Chanel Black Patent Chain Wedge Booties 2014 Collection Size 38.5
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in San Jose, CA
Rare Chanel Black Patent Leather Wedge Booties from the Spring 2014 Collection (14P), designed during the Karl Lagerfeld era. A standout runway piece, these high-shine booties feature bold silver-tone chain lace-up detail with oversized grommets—classic Chanel edge...
Chanel Rare Metallic Silver Data Center Novelty Minaudière Keyboard Clutch
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Rare Metallic Silver Data Center Novelty Minaudière Keyboard Clutch From the Spring/Summer 2017 Data Center Collection Silver Hardware Robot charm...
Chanel Black Leather Silver Charm Gala Clutch
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Amazing clutch from Chanel 2007 Runway. Has been seen on many celebs including Penelope Cruz and Victoria Beckham. Chanel has come out with several similar pieces this past year how...
Chanel Metallic Quilted Lambskin Coco Punk Clutch With Chain
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Listing Title: Chanel Metallic Quilted Lambskin Coco Punk Clutch With Chain SKU: 153777 Condition: Pre-owned Condition Description: Intrinsically Chanel, the medium Coco top handle ...
Chanel Platinum Chain Me Flap Bag
By Chanel
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Chanel Chain Me Flap Bag in quilted matte gray metallic calfskin leather and matte gunmetal hardware details. Features a woven chain and the CC logo. Bag closes with magnetic button ...
Chanel Chanel Silver Caviar Leather Clutch Bag
By Chanel
Located in Krakow, PL
Indulge in timeless elegance with this Chanel clutch, meticulously crafted to perfection. Its exquisite details and luxurious materials make it a statement piece for any sophisticat...
Chanel Metallic Silver Quilted Lambskin Handle Plate Flap Bag
By Chanel
Located in Guangzhou, CN
Condition: Slight wear and tear, immaculate inside and out. Accessories: Dust bag,box size: Width:15.5cm Designer: Chanel Model: Metallic Silver Quilted Lambskin Handle Plate Fl...
The classic tweed garment has been a wardrobe staple of chic women around the world since the 1950s.
The creative force behind brands like Chanel, Fendi and Chloé was as exacting in his interiors as he was in his clothing designs.
