Karl Lagerfeld: A life in dates
Paris, FRANCE — Here are some key dates in the life of German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who has died at the age of 85:
- September 10, 1933: Born in Hamburg, though he was later known to knock a few years off his age. His father ran an evaporated milk company.
- 1952: Moves to Paris to complete his education.
- 1954: Wins the prestigious Woolmark prize, jointly with Yves-Saint Laurent, awarded to outstanding fashion talents.
- 1955-1962: Works as an assistant to French fashion designer Pierre Balmain.
- 1963-1984: Artistic director for Chloe.
- 1965: Is appointed artistic director for Fendi.
- 1983: Also becomes artistic director for Chanel.
- 1984: Lagerfeld launches his own fashion label, under his own name.
- 1989: His long-time partner Jacques de Bascher, a French aristocrat, dies of AIDS.
- 1999: Ordered to pay 13.3 million euros ($15.6 million) in back taxes by French authorities.
- 2000: He sells his 18th-century art collection for 21.2 million euros.
- 2004: Designs a capsule collection for low cost retail chain H&M. It goes on to lift the company's monthly sales by a quarter.
