Karl Lagerfeld has died in Paris

Karl Lagerfeld has passed away aged 85 in Paris, according to sources close to the designer who have informed WWD. No details have been given yet on how he died.

The designer is said to have been working hard close up until his death, even giving his team instructions relating to the Fendi autumn/winter 2019 collection, which is due to take place during Milan Fashion Week this Thursday.

Lagerfeld is one of the most prolific and celebrated fashion designers of all time and has headed up some of the biggest fashion houses in the world, including Fendi, Chanel and his own namesake label, all three of which he acted as creative director for until his death today.

The designer did not reveal any details of ill health prior to his death, however, he did not take his usual bow at the end of the Chanel couture show last month. The house later released a statement explaining that Lagerfeld was too tired to attend the show on that particular occasion.

Lagerfeld began his career in fashion in 1955 as an assistant to Pierre Balmain. He joined Chanel in 1983 and spent 36 years at the helm of the iconic French fashion house.

A look at his life in 40 pictures:

This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR UK.

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