Sui Generis · Fashion history

Karl Lagerfeld

Prolific designer whose career connected Chanel, Fendi, Chloé and his namesake house

Karl Lagerfeld had one of fashion's longest and most prolific multi-house careers, working across Chloé, Fendi and Chanel while maintaining a namesake label.

Karl Lagerfeld
Christopher William Adach from Mexico · Source · CC BY-SA 2.0

Houses & roles

Career milestones and recorded collection credits. Collection-year ranges identify seasons in our archive, not employment start and end dates. Roles at different houses can overlap.

YearsHouse & roleExplore at Sui Generis
1964–1983; 1992–1997ChloéDesigner; returned for a second creative tenureExplore catalog pieces →
1965–2019FendiCreative direction, including fur and women’s ready-to-wearCollection archive →Read the house guide →
1983–2019ChanelArtistic DirectorCollection archive →Read the house guide →
1984–2019Karl LagerfeldFounder and creative direction of his namesake labelExplore catalog pieces →

Reading the creative era

Karl Lagerfeld worked for several houses simultaneously, so designer attribution alone cannot identify a label. Chanel, Fendi, Chloé and KARL LAGERFELD require separate era, category and identifier evidence.

Our house archives include multiple designers and periods. Use the dates above to find the relevant seasons.

Sources & further reading

An independent Sui Generis educational reference. Unaffiliated with the designers and houses featured.