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 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 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 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 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 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 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 turnlock necklace by Karl Lagerfeld Fall 1995
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1995 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal choker necklace, turnlock design. Made in France. Condition: Very g...
Gilt Metal
Byzantine necklace by Chanel, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, 1984
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - Ready-to-Wear Collection 1984 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Woloch Workshop. Gold-tone metal choker necklace with glass cabochons and Swarovski crystals. ...
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. Golden metal choker necklace made of multiple letters representing the name of t...
Gilt Metal
Chanel multi-row 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. Three-row golden metal chain necklace ornamented with oval medallion engraved with CHA...
Gilt Metal
Chanel necklace by Karl Lagerfeld circa late 1980s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A ready-to-wear Collection circa late 1980s under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Costume pearl dickey necklace ornamented with a golden metal chain and articulat...
Gilt Metal
Chanel choker necklace by Karl Lagerfeld Haute Couture Fall-Winter 1986
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1986 Fall-Winter Haute Couture Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Work from Gripoix Atelier. 6-row choker necklace made of costume pearls and a gold...
Gilt Metal
Chanel choker necklace by Karl Lagerfeld Haute Couture Fall-Winter 1988-1989
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1988-1989 Fall-Winter Haute Couture Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Gripoix Atelier. Choker necklace made of costume pearls, golden metal element...
Gilt Metal
Chanel necklace 'cages' 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. Woloch Atelier. Choker necklace made of chains and tiny cages with colorful glass pearl...
Gilt Metal
Chanel choker necklace by Karl Lagerfeld Spring 1992
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1992 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Choker necklace made of twisted golden-metal triangular cc medallions. Made in ...
Gilt Metal
$23,646
Chanel choker necklace 1995
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Golden metal choker necklace interlaced with black leather. Central medallion ornamented with rhinestones. 1995 Spring-Summer Collection under the direction...
Gilt Metal
Chanel articulated necklace 1985-90
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Short articulated golden metal necklace with Swarovski rhinestones. Jewelry from the 1985s-1990s under the artistic direct...
Gilt Metal
CHANEL NECKLACE BY K. LAGERFELD & V. de CASTELLANE, Crystals, gold plated 1991
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld & Victoire de Castellane - Fall/Winter 1990 - 1991 - Reday to Wear Collection. Quilted gold metal chain - chocker set with shiny Swarovski rhinestones. Sign...
Crystal, Gold Plate
Chanel choker necklace 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. Three-row golden-metal chain choker necklace with colorful glass-paste cabochons. Mad...
Gilt Metal
Cartier Hindu Diamond Necklace Estate 18 Karat Gold Black Silk Cord Jewelry
By Cartier
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed pre owned Cartier Hindu diamond necklace, crafted in 18 karat white gold. Round brilliant cut diamonds total an estimated 0.60 carats (estimated at E-F color and VVS2 clarity). The pendant is attached to an adjustable black silk cord necklace...
Diamond
Tiffany & Co Necklace Onyx Multi Strand Torsade Toggle Vintage Fine Jewelry
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant and finely detailed vintage Tiffany & Co multi strand onyx torsade necklace crafted in sterling silver. gold. Onyx is strung onto 8 strands. The evenly sized and matched b...
Onyx, Silver, Sterling Silver
18K Yellow Gold Amazonite Necklace
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
Vibrant blue green of Amazonite encompasses this necklace. Orbs of the gem, measuring 18mm, are strung together. In between a single knot of coordinating thread protects each gem. Th...
Amazonite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Chain Necklace Gold Choker Elongated Link 18"
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chain Necklace Elongated Link Gold Choker Layering Designer: J DAUPHIN The Chain Necklace is handcrafted in 14k yellow gold plated brass, worked as an alternating link chain of elo...
14k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
Black Pearl Choker Necklace in Gold, Hand Knotted Strand
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black Pearl Choker Necklace in Gold, Hand Knotted Strand Black pearl choker in a single strand of dark grey black freshwater pearls, each pearl hand knotted on silk between the bead...
Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl
Snake Necklace Choker Emerald Aquamarine Silver Gold Plated J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Marquise Aquamarine Snake Necklace 14k Gold Plated Silver Ruby Eyes Designer: J DAUPHIN — “Gypsy Wisdom” Collection The “Gypsy Wisdom” Serpent Choker i...
Aquamarine, Emerald, Gold-filled, Silver, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Akoya Cultured Pearl Signature X Necklace 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Tiffany & Co Classic Signature X Akoya Cultured Pearl Strand Necklace in 18 KT Yellow Gold. The pearls measure 9 - 9.5 MM with an even creamy luster. It is 18 inches long with "...
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Star Choker Black Diamond Necklace Celestial Double Chain 14k Gold Plated Silver
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Star Choker Black Diamond Necklace Celestial Double Chain 14k Gold Plated Silver Designer: J Dauphin The Star Choker is a double strand of fine cable chain in 14k gold plated silve...
Black Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel, Silver
Shark Tooth Gold Necklace Aquamarine Black Enamel Chain Choker
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shark Tooth Gold Necklace Aquamarine Black Enamel Chain Choker Designer J DAUPHIN This handcrafted structural necklace is made of 14k gold plated brass. The design features a scul...
Aquamarine, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
$520Sale Price|20% Off
L 7.09 in
Heart Necklace Black Enamel Pendant Black Diamond Choker Ball Chain J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black Enamel Black Diamond Heart Necklace Black Enamel Pendant Ball Chain Choker Gold Designer: J DAUPHIN The Heart Necklace is handcrafted in 14k gold plated brass, a three dimens...
Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
Pink Opal Necklace Round Bead Choker 15 Inch J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pink Opal Round Bead Choker Necklace 15 Inch Designer J DAUPHIN This choker necklace is constructed from round pink opal beads measuring 38 cm (15 inches) in length. Pink opal is...
Opal
Aero Pave Nose-Cut Diamond 18K White Gold Necklace, 1.00 ctw, 30 Diamonds
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This elegant Aero necklace is crafted in 18K white gold and features a refined nose-cut diamond design set with 30 sparkling round diamonds totaling 1.00 carat weight. The delicate pave-style setting enhances brilliance while maintaining a lightweight feel at just 2.17 grams. An adjustable 18-inch chain offers versatile wear, allowing the piece to sit beautifully at the collarbone or slightly lower for layering. The subtle antique tag...
Diamond, White Gold
Chanel choker necklace Haute Couture 1989s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Short necklace made of a black elastic band and golden metal rings reminding of belt buckles. A Collection from the late 1980s under the artistic direction ...
Gilt Metal
Chanel choker necklace by Karl Lagerfeld Spring-Summer 1990
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1990 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Short costume pearl necklace with golden metal cc elements. Made in France. Co...
Gilt Metal
Chanel choker necklace 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. Woloch Atelier. Golden metal choker necklace with costume pearly cabochons and Swarovs...
Gilt Metal
Chanel necklace by Karl Lagerfeld circa 1980
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1980 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Gripoix atelier. Two-row necklace made of red glass pearls interspaced with rhinestone...
Gilt Metal
Chanel multi-row necklace by Karl Lagerfeld circa 1980
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1980 under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Multi-row golden metal chain with openwork and cc logo charms. Made in France. Conditi...
Gilt Metal
Chanel necklace Pre Fall 2017
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Short champagne metal necklace with tiny costume pearly drops and colorful enamel. 2017 Pre Fall Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. ...
Chanel cc necklace 1980s
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Short golden metal necklace with cc logos articulated together. Jewelry from the 1980s. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 39 cm SKU:CB140
Gilt Metal
Chanel cc necklace 1998
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Baroque green glass pearl necklace with a silvery metal press stud fastening. 1998 Spring-Summer Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. ...
Chanel cc necklace
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Short golden metal necklace composed of circular medallions centered with cc logos. Jewelry from the mid-1980s. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions:...
Chanel necklace Winter 1985
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - Golden metal and black bakelite necklace with costume pearly cabochons and multicolored glass paste. 1985 Fall-Winter Collection, under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerf...
Chanel blue pearl necklace
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Short golden metal necklace with pearly cabochons and blue glass pearls. A 2cc3 Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Very ...
Chanel pearl necklace
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Choker necklace composed of several red glass pearl rows. Jewelry from the mid-1980s. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: from 35 cm to 41 ...