Late designer Karl Lagerfeld’s fraught friendship with Claudia Schiffer

A friend of the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has spoken out about the split in his former friendship with supermodel Claudia Schiffer.

Legendary fashionista Karl suffered from pancreatic cancer and passed away in February 2019 at the age of 85 after being rushed to hospital.

Known as ‘King Karl’, he was considered one of the last greats of fashion, along with Yves Saint Laurent, Hubert de Givenchy and Coco Chanel.

After starting fashion house Fendi in the 1960s, Karl rose through the ranks and took over Chanel in the 1980s, with Coco describing him as a “mean b**ch.”

He turned the company into a sexy brand by making the face of German model Claudia, now 52, ​​for years, but like many of his friends, she would eventually feel his wrath when he felt betrayed.

Muse: He turned Chanel into a sexy brand by making model Claudia, now 52, ​​his face for years, but, like many of his friends, she would eventually feel his wrath when he felt betrayed (Claudia pictured in December 2021)

In the forthcoming BBC Two documentary The Mysterious Mr Lagerfeld, his brand executive Caroline Lebar said, according to The sun: ‘Planet Karl is black and white, made of loyalty and friendship.

“The recurring reason someone ‘disappeared’ from Planet Karl was that he felt betrayed – that was the worst.”

Gilles Dufour, with whom Karl worked closely at Chanel, said: ‘We didn’t even say goodbye when I left Chanel.

“All the people who tried to leave him were out, as Claudia Schiffer once was.”

Karl Lagerfeld died in February 2019 at the age of 85 in Paris, France, after suffering from pancreatic cancer.

Looking increasingly frail, Chanel’s German-born artistic director didn’t come out to take a bow at Chanel’s Paris couture show in January, something the company attributed to his “too tired” nature.

“He didn’t go through with his illness, but fought it bravely,” says a source. “Karl was very proud of his fitness and healthy life, so the pancreatic cancer came as a huge shock.”

An official statement posted on his Instagram said: ‘The House of KARL LAGERFELD shares, with deep emotion and sadness, the passing of its Creative Director, Karl Lagerfeld, on February 19, 2019 in Paris, France.

Catwalk star: Claudia is seen in a white haute couture halter dress with black trim and a sheer skirt by designer Karl for French fashion house Chanel in 1990

He was one of the most influential and celebrated designers of the 21st century and an iconic, universal style symbol. Driven by a phenomenal sense of creativity, Karl was passionate, powerful and intensely curious.

“He leaves an extraordinary legacy as one of the greatest designers of our time, and words cannot express how much he will be missed.”

Lagerfeld – nicknamed ‘Kaiser Karl’ and ‘Fashion Meister’ – was worshiped as a god in fashion circles around the world until his death.

Born in Hamburg to a German mother and Swedish father, the Hamburg-born son of a German mother and Swedish father, left his home country for France and the capital of fashion – Paris – in his early 20s and is best known for his collaboration with Chanel, dating back to 1983.

But Lagerfeld, who simultaneously released collections for LVMH’s Fendi and its eponymous label – an unheard-of feat in fashion – was also a brand in its own right, thanks in large part to its unique style.

One of his last walks: Lagerfeld walks the catwalk with Virginie Viard, the current director of Chanel’s fashion creation studio, who will now take over as artistic director, and his godson Hudson Kroenig, right, at Chanel Metiers D’Art 2018/ 19 Show at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in December 2018

Style: Karl Lagerfeld, seen with Kate Moss in 2009 and Lady Gaga in September 2018, became known for his dark suits, ponytail and sunglasses

In his later years, he wore dark suits, white ponytailed hair, and tinted sunglasses, making him instantly recognizable even outside of haute couture.

However, his looks and favorite accessory changed over the years – for a long time he carried a fan everywhere he went.

Lagerfeld, who is known as a huge Diet Coke enthusiast, said he lost weight in the early 2000s to fit into the paper-thin suits brought in by Christian Dior’s then-menswear designer Hedi Slimane.

On rare occasions when he was not working, Lagerfeld retreated to one of his many homes in Paris, Germany, Italy or Monaco, all lavish copies of 18th-century interiors.

Starting: Lagerfeld after winning the coats category in a design competition sponsored by the International Wool Secretariat, Paris, December 1954. A model carries his design with him. The match win led to Lagerfeld being hired as Pierre Balmain’s assistant