• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
remembering karl
February 19, 2019

40 Incredible Moments From Karl Lagerfeld’s Runway Shows

By Sarah Spellings

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin It
Photo: Pool ARNAL/PAT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Karl Lagerfeld brought a new level of pageantry to every runway and collection he touched. Over his long career at Chanel, Fendi, and the Karl Lagerfeld collection, he transformed the Grand Palais in Paris into a supermarket, a rocket ship, a French beach (complete with Pamela Anderson) and much more. He turned models and key chains into facsimiles of himself and continuously pushed the boundaries of what constitutes a bridal look or a tweed suit. He took the party to Cuba (for Chanel) and the Great Wall of China (for Fendi).

And then there are the models. God, is there any A-list model who hasn’t walked one of Karl’s shows? Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, both Cindy Crawford and her daughter Kaia Gerber. Model/aughts actress Devon Aoki was also one of Karl’s favorites. He called his favorite models “choupettes,” after his beloved cat.

Lagerfeld’s last collection he was present for took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, in the Temple of Dendur. His final collection he designed was showcased in Paris and though he was not present for the final bow, it was a memorable last look: a bridal monokini with a cathedral-length veil. But that’s just the scratching the surface of Lagerfeld’s best dresses, suits, and runway sets. Take a look at some of his best moments below.

View
1 / 40 Photos
Karl Lagerfeld and a pregnant model at the Haute Couture fall/winter 2014 show in Paris. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
A model at the fall/winter 1991 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: PIERRE GUILLAUD/AFP/Getty Images
Model Vittoria Ceretti at the spring/summer 2019 Haute Couture show in Paris. Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Naomi Campbell at the Chanel Haute Couture spring/summer 1993 show in Paris. Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Stella Tenant at the fall/winter 1995 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: Pool ARNAL/PAT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
A model and Lagerfeld's godson Hudson Kroenig at the Haute Couture spring summer 2018 show in Paris. Photo: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Get... A model and Lagerfeld's godson Hudson Kroenig at the Haute Couture spring summer 2018 show in Paris. Photo: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Julianne Moore, Kristen Stewart, and Lily Rose Depp at the Haute Couture fall/winter 2015 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: Catwalking/Getty Images
A carousel at the fall/winter 2007 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images
A model at the spring/summer 2017 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Pamela Anderson at the spring/summer 2019 show in Paris. Photo: Dominique Charriau/WireImage
Claudia Schiffer at the spring 1995 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: Images Press/IMAGES/Getty Images
A model at the spring/summer 2018 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: AFP Contributor/AFP/Getty Images
Models at the spring/summer 1998 Chanel presentation in Paris. Photo: PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images
Two brides at the Haute Couture spring/summer 2013 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images
A model at the Cruise 2016 Chanel show in Havana, Cuba. Photo: Thomas Concordia/Getty Images
Devon Aioki and Karl Lagerfeld at the Chanel fall/winter 2000 show in Tokyo. Photo: TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images
A Karlito figurine at the Fendi fall/winter 2014 show in Milan. Photo: TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images
Hudson Kroenig and Karl Lagerfeld at the fall/winter 2016 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: Peter White/Getty Images
Models at the Metiers d'Arts 2018/2019 show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Oversized bags at the spring/summer 2013 show in Paris. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
A model at the fall/winter 2010 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: PATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images
A model at the fall/winter 1992 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: Victor Virgile/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Two models at the Haute Couture fall/winter 2016 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: Catwalking/Getty Images
Models at the Fendi Roma 90th Anniversary show in Rome. Photo: Victor Boyko/Getty Images
Models at the spring/summer 2015 show in Paris. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Karl Lagerfeld and Cara Delevigne at the fall/winter 2014 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: Francois Durand/Getty Images
Fendi monsters posing with guests outside the Fendi fall/winter 2016 show in Milan. Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
A model at the spring/summer 1993 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: PIERRE GUILLAUD/AFP/Getty Images
A model at the spring/summer 1996 Chloé show in Paris. Photo: GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images
Karl Lagerfeld and two models at the Haute Couture spring/summer 2005 Chanel show. Photo: FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images
A model at the Cruise 2016 Chanel show in Havana, Cuba. Photo: Thomas Concordia/Getty Images
The set at the Cruise 2016 Chanel show in Havana, Cuba. Photo: Thomas Concordia/Getty Images
Linda Evangelista at the spring/summer 1990 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: Victor Virgile/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Cindy Crawford at the spring 1994 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: Guy Marineau/Conde Nast via Getty Images
Cara Delevigne at the Chanel Metiers d'Arts show in Paris. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
The set at the Haute Couture 2013 Chanel show in Paris. Photo: Catwalking/Getty Images
A rocket ship at the fall/winter 2017 Chanel in Paris. Photo: Peter White/Getty Images
Models at the Great Wall of China for fall/winter 2007 Fendi show. Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images
Karl Lagerfeld and models at the the fall/winter 1995 Haute Couture Chanel show in Paris. Photo: Pool ARNAL/PAT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Ines de la Fressange at the fall/winter 1984 Chanel show. Photo: PIERRE GUILLAUD/AFP/Getty Images
1 / 40

Tags:

  • image gallery
  • cut homepage lede
  • gallery
  • fashion
  • style
  • karl lagerfeld
  • chanel
  • in memoriam
  • remembering karl
  • More

More Galleries

in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 10, 2020
A Zoom Wedding Only Two Digital Creatives Could Produce  The couple coordinated multiple video segments, breakout rooms, and a dance party. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 3, 2020
The Anti-Spectacle Wedding That Turned Into a Spectacle  Brooklyn Bridge Park was the site of their first date, proposal, and wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files June 26, 2020
A Night at the Philadelphia Museum of Art  The flowers were specially treated to protect the masterpieces. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.