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 keyring by Karl Lagerfeld circa 1989
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1989 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden-metal keyring with a matching enameled plate bearing the House contact details....
Gilt Metal
Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Velvet Choker Necklace, Cruciform Amethyst Glass, 2017
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A seriously cool Chanel Renaissance velvet choker from the 2017 collection. The detail is what holds it together, rich and deliberate, with a slightly rebellious edge. Cruciform moti...
Chanel cross necklace by Karl Lagerfeld 1985
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1985 ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Byzantine-style costume-pearl necklace ornamented with a cross made of golden metal and glass ...
Gilt Metal
Chanel byzantine necklace by Karl Lagerfeld 1985
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1985 ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Woloch Atelier. Golden metal byzantine necklace with Swarovski rhinestoned, a costume pearly c...
Gilt Metal
Chanel keyring by Karl Lagerfeld circa 1989
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1989 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden-metal keyring with a matching enameled plate bearing the House contact details....
Gilt Metal
Vintage CHANEL Grande Baroque Pearl Collar and Earrings, Early KARL LAGERFELD
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
An important and highly desirable vintage chanel pearl necklace and earring suite. Attributed to Maison Gripoix for the House of Chanel and to the first year of the now legendary Kar...
Gold Plate
Chanel X Karl Lagerfeld Métiers d’Art Prefall 2010 « Paris - Shangaï »
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in CANNES, FR
Chanel X Karl Lagerfeld Métiers d’Art Prefall 2010 "Paris - Shanghai" Collection Gold-tone metal chain necklace with imitation pearls and logos, ending with a lacquered doll pendant...
Preloved Chanel Karl Lagerfeld Era Statement Leather CC Logo Cuff NWB 2017
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A beautiful, exceptionally wearable, pre-loved Chanel Leather Logo Cuff Bracelet. Created when Lagerfeld was head of design at Chanel in December 2017 as a Limited Edition for the 20...
Gold Plate
Chanel necklace by Karl Lagerfeld Winter 1988-1989
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1988-1989 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal chain necklace with an impressive golden metal openwork brooch o...
Gilt Metal
$785Sale Price / set|50% Off
Vintage Chanel 1980s Gold Pearl Logo Clip On 80s Earrings, 1983
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare, very collectible vintage Chanel pearl and gold logo clip-on earrings. Stamped Chanel, and from the 1983 collection. Can easily be dressed up or down, day to evening. All of the vintage clothing...
Gold
Vintage Chanel Amethyst & Turquoise Jewelled Cuff 2005
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
Vintage Chanel Jewelled Cuff – Spring 2005 Collection A rare and radiant piece from Chanel’s Spring 2005 collection, this vintage jewelled cuff exudes effortless luxury and timeless ...
Gold Plate
Vintage Chanel LAGERFELD Statement Crystal CHANEL Spellout Bangle 2003
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Vintage Chanel Spell-out Bracelet from the AW 2003 Collection. Featuring a chunky resin bangle with the iconic name of the House of Chanel set invisibly set in rhinestones on the f...
Chanel necklace by Karl Lagerfeld circa late 1980s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A Collection circa late 1980s, under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Short golden metal necklace with rhinestones and glass paste. Made in France. Condition: Ve...
Gilt Metal
Chanel necklace by Karl Lagerfeld Winter 1996
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1996 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Multi-row golden metal chain necklace with an impressive openwork metal pendant/br...
Gilt Metal
Chanel choker necklace by Karl Lagerfeld 1985-1990
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1985-1990 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Choker necklace made of turquoise-color flass pearls and red glass-paste cabochon...
Gilt Metal
Chanel by Lagerfeld Gold Plated Simulated Pearl CC Logo Necklace, 2014
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Preloved Chanel Pearl CC Logo Necklace. The quintessential pearl necklace from the House of Chanel and a keeper from the legendary tenure of Karl Lagerfeld. Exquisite attention to ...
Vintage Chanel LAGERFELD ERA Iconic Statement Monochrome CC Logo Cuff 2006
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A stunning oversize Chanel Monochrome CC Cuff from the 2000s. Crafted in resin. Featuring a gigantic bold black interlocking CC logo on a white background to create a seriously iconi...
Vintage CHANEL LAGERFELD ERA Statement Pearl Torsade CC Logo Bracelet 2014
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A striking statement Chanel Pearl Torsade Bracelet crafted during the legedary Karl Lagerfeld tenure. Featuring multiple rows of luxurious pearls in a torsade style. Finished with th...
Chanel necklace by Karl Lagerfed circa early 1980s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A ready-to-wear Collection circa early 1980s under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal necklace ornamented with costume pearls in matching filigreed meta...
Gilt Metal
Chanel cc pin label by Karl Lagerfeld circa 2015
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A Collection circa 2015 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Silvery metal cc pin label enameled with sky-blue. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Heig...
Vintage Chanel by Lagerfeld Double Sided Coco Logo Collar, Glass Drop 1980s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A beautiful Vintage Chanel Coco Collar. Crafted in gold plated metal and glass. Featuring a double stack ring chain with a pendant that portrays Coco Chanel on one side and the CHANE...
Chanel necklace by Karl Lagerfeld Fall-Winter 1991
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1991 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Work from the Woloch Atelier. Golden metal choker necklace with glass-paste pearls...
Gilt Metal
Vintage Chanel Statement CC Logo Cuff KARL LAGERFELD 1994
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A megawatt Vintage Chanel CC Logo Cuff in exceptional condition. A piece from the 1994 Spring Collection and the iconic reign of Lagerfeld and Castellane not to mention the now legen...
Chanel bracelet by Karl Lagerfeld Cruise 1993
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1993 Cruise ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal articulated bracelet made of multi-row of chains interlaced with black lea...
Gilt Metal
Chanel cc earrings by Karl Lagerfeld circa 1990
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1990 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Chiseled golden metal cc clip-on earrings. Made in France. Condition: Very good cond...
Gilt Metal
Chanel Renaissance Revival Pearl Pendant, Maison Gripoix
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Chanel Renaissance Revival Pearl Pendant, Maison Gripoix by Victoire de Castellane for Chanel. Gripoix hand made poured glass pendant in ruby and emerald glass in bronze settings on ...
Bronze, Gilt Metal
Chanel necklace by Karl Lagerfeld circa 1985
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1985 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal necklace ornamented with impressive rhinestoned medallions centered with ...
Gilt Metal
Chanel necklace by Karl Lagerfeld Spring-Summer 1996
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1996 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Woloch Atelier. Golden metal pendant necklace with a stylised flower centered wi...
Gilt Metal
Chanel 1981 Chicklet Necklace, Gilt Gold with Emerald Crystals, France
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Stuttgart, DE
The CHANEL 1981 "Chicklet" necklace (Made in France) - a long, sautoir-style chain set with rectangular glass crystalys - is one of the most iconic pieces of vintage Chanel costume jewelry...
Crystal
Chanel earrings 'Paris-Dallas' by Karl Lagerfeld Pre Fall 2015
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2015 Pre-Fall ready-to-wear 'Paris-Dallas' Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal cc earrings enameled with burgundy-red.. Made in France....
Gilt Metal
Chanel by Lagerfeld Runway Tartan Choker Sautoir Métiers d'Art 2013
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A sensational runway piece - a Chanel Pearl & Tartan Choker Sautoir from the 2012- 2013 Métiers d'art Collection. Chanel's Métiers d'art collections, launched annually since 200...
Chanel necklace by Karl Lagerfeld 1984
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1984 ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Woloch Atelier. Long golden metal necklace with a byzantine-style pendant, Swarovski rhinestone...
Gilt Metal
Chanel magnifying glass necklace by Karl Lagerfeld circa 1988
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1988 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal magnifying-glass necklace engraved with the S of Sales. Made in France. ...
Gilt Metal
Chanel earrings by Karl Lagerfeld circa 1990
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1990 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Long golden metal clip-on earrings with Swarovski rhinestones and costume pearls. Mad...
Gilt Metal
Chanel bracelet by Karl Lagerfeld Spring 2013
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2013 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Elasticated lucite bracelet embedded with lace and tiny costume pearls. Not sign...
Chanel choker necklace by Karl Lagerfeld circa 1990
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A Collection circa 1990 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal choker necklace. Made in France. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: ...
Gilt Metal
Huge Vintage Chanel Byzantine Rock Crystal Brooch by Karl Lagerfeld, 1997
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Vintage Chanel Byzantine Rock Crystal Brooch crafted for the Autumn Winter collection of 1997. A standout runway piece with craftmanship to match. Huge, tumbled rock crystal stones...
Chanel Rare Coco Mademoiselle Campaign Necklace 2011 Keira Knightley Collectors
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
An exceptionally rare and highly collectible Chanel necklace created for the iconic “Coco Mademoiselle” 2011 advertising campaign featuring Keira Knightley, directed by Joe Wright an...
Chanel 24K Gold Plated Cross Necklace, Gripoix Glass, 1993 Design
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Chanel necklace with an attached cross in the colors orange and red with handcrafted pearl, hanging from the original 70 cm long chain. Signed on the back side 93 CC P - 1993 Print...
Other, Gold Plate
Chanel earrings by Karl Lagerfeld Fall 2016
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2016 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Light-golden metal clip-on earrings ornamented with costume pearl cabochons and rh...
Gilt Metal
Chanel necklace by Karl Lagerfeld 1985
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1985 ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal pendant necklace, pendant ornamented with rhinestones and glass-paste cabochons. ...
Gilt Metal
Chanel necklace Haute Couture by Karl Lagerfeld circa 1985
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A Haute couture Collection circa 1985-1990, under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Short trimming necklace with a golden metal and purple glass paste pendant. Con...
Gilt Metal
Chanel brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Fall-Winter 1991
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1991 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Gripoix Atelier. Golden metal cross pendant brooch with costume pearls, pearly cabo...
Gilt Metal
Chanel White Bakelite Cuff Bracelet with Multicolored CC Logos, 2005
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) White bakelite bracelet ornamented with multicolored cc logos. 2005 Cruise Collection under the artistic direction of...
Chanel choker necklace by Karl Lagerfeld 1984
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1984 ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal choker necklace with colorful glass-paste cabochons and ending with a blue glass-p...
Gilt Metal
Chanel earrings by Karl Lagerfeld 2019
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2019 ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Silvery metal clip-on earrings centered with a black rhinestone cc logo. Made in France. Con...
Chanel brooch by Karl Lagerfeld Fall 2013
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 2013 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Silvery metal openwork brooch decorated with diferent-size rhinestones and centere...
Chanel camellia brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) White camellia brooch decorated with a black silk bow. A Collection circa 1985 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Very good conditi...
Chanel turnlock necklace by Karl Lagerfeld Spring-Summer 1997
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1997 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Short golden metal necklace with a turnlock fastening, composed of three chain r...
Gilt Metal
Chanel necklace by Karl Lagerfeld Spring-Summer 1998
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1998 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Long baroque turquoise-blue glass pearl necklace with a silvery metal press stud...
Chanel earrings by Karl Lagerfeld Spring-Summer 1994
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1994 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Woloch Atelier. Golden metal flower clip-on earrings with green and red glass-pa...
Gilt Metal
Chanel necklace winter 1991
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Short necklace composed of a golden-metal chain row and a costume-pearl row. 1991 Fall-winter 'Hip-Hop' Ready-to-Wear Collection under the artistic directio...
Gilt Metal
Chanel Chanel necklace by Karl Lagerfeld Winter 1991
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1991 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal chain necklace ornamented with rhinestones and multicolored glass-pas...
Gilt Metal
Chanel red pearl necklace 1990s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Long necklace made of red glass pearls and golden metal elements. Jewelry from the 1990s under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Very go...
Gilt Metal
Chanel earrings by Karl Lagerfeld Fall-Winter 1990
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1990 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal clip-on earrings with a chain and a costume pearl. Made in France. ...
Gilt Metal
Chanel sautoir necklace by Karl Lagerfeld 1985
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1985 ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Long necklace made of brown-tone resin pearls, a golden metal chain interspaced with glass past...
Gilt Metal
Chanel necklace 'shell' Cruise Grand Central, New York 2007
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Champagne metal tiny chains necklace ornamented with costume pearls, pink pearls, white glass shells, and pink-tone stones. At the center, an impressive pea...
Chanel Pre-Fall 2015 Salzburg Sissi 15A Star Crystal Brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Jersey City, NJ
A luminous collectible from Chanel’s Pre-Fall 2015 “Salzburg” Métiers d’Art collection, created as a celebration of the House’s ateliers and the romance of Austria. This starburst b...
Chanel glass paste brooch
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Byzantine-style golden metal brooch with glass paste and Swarovski rhinestones. Jewelry from the late 1980s- early 1990s. Condition: Very good condition D...
Gilt Metal
Vintage Chanel Leather Chunky Chain Bracelet 1980s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Vintage Chanel Leather Chain Bracelet. A perfect piece of Chanel heritage especially when we cast our thoughts back to the eternally iconic Linda Evangelista in black leather Chane...