A Look Back at Karl Lagerfeld's Most Iconic Chanel Runway Looks

The designer has passed away at age 85.

Leg, Sleeve, Shoulder, Textile, Dress, Style, Pink, Headgear, Fashion model, Pattern,
(Image credit: Getty Images)
By Marie Claire
last updated

As the fashion community mourns the lost of legendary designer and creative Karl Lagerfeld (opens in new tab), we're taking a look back at his most memorable Chanel creations—and there are almost too many to count. Since he became the fashion house's creative director in 1983, Lagerfeld managed to keep both Coco Chanel's spirit alive through the famous tweed suits and classic touches while also injecting his own perspective into the brand.

Lagerfeld never did anything short of iconic: His runway sets, like his fashion designs, were instantly legendary (opens in new tab), creating everything from a full Chanel supermarket to a rocket ship to an iceberg to set the stage for an unforgettable experience. As a tribute to one of the greatest fashion icons of all time, here are Lagerfeld's best runway moments.

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Spring 2019
(Image credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis)

Spring 2019

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Haute Couture Fall 2018
(Image credit: Pascal Le Segretain)

Haute Couture Fall 2018

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Metiers D'Art 2018
(Image credit: Dia Dipasupil)

Metiers D'Art 2018

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Haute Couture Spring 2018
(Image credit: Catwalking)

Haute Couture Spring 2018

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Fall 2018
(Image credit: Catwalking)

Fall 2018

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Spring 2018
(Image credit: Pascal Le Segretain)

Spring 2018

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Haute Couture Spring 2017
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Haute Couture Spring 2017

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Fall 2017
(Image credit: Catwalking)

Fall 2017

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Haute Couture Fall 2017
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Haute Couture Fall 2017

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Haute Couture Fall 2016
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Haute Couture Fall 2016

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Metiers d'Art 2016
(Image credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis)

Metiers d'Art 2016

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Fall 2016
(Image credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis)

Fall 2016

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Spring 2016
(Image credit: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho)

Spring 2016

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Metiers d'Art 2015
(Image credit: Pietro D'aprano)

Metiers d'Art 2015

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Fall 2015
(Image credit: Catwalking)

Fall 2015

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Spring 2015
(Image credit: PATRICK KOVARIK)

Spring 2015

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Fall 2014
(Image credit: Catwalking)

Fall 2014

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Haute Couture Fall 2014
(Image credit: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho)

Haute Couture Fall 2014

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Haute Couture Fall 2014
(Image credit: Catwalking)

Haute Couture Fall 2014

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Spring 2014
(Image credit: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho)

Spring 2014

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Metiers d'Art 2013
(Image credit: Jun Sato)

Metiers d'Art 2013

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Fall 2013
(Image credit: Kristy Sparow)

Fall 2013

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Spring 2013
(Image credit: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho)

Spring 2013

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Spring 2013
(Image credit: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho)

Spring 2013

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Haute Couture Fall 2013
(Image credit: Dominique Charriau)

Haute Couture Fall 2013

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Metiers d'Art 2012
(Image credit: Mike Marsland)

Metiers d'Art 2012

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Spring 2012
(Image credit: Pascal Le Segretain)

Spring 2012

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Haute Couture Fall 2011
(Image credit: Dominique Charriau)

Haute Couture Fall 2011

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Spring 2011
(Image credit: Pascal Le Segretain)

Spring 2011

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Fall 2011
(Image credit: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho)

Fall 2011

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Metiers d'Art 2010
(Image credit: Michel Dufour)

Metiers d'Art 2010

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Spring 2010
(Image credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis)

Spring 2010

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Haute Couture Fall 2009
(Image credit: Tony Barson Archive)

Haute Couture Fall 2009

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Spring 2009
(Image credit: Karl Prouse/Catwalking)

Spring 2009

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Fall 2009
(Image credit: Karl Prouse/Catwalking)

Fall 2009

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Haute Couture Spring 2008
(Image credit: Catwalking)

Haute Couture Spring 2008

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Spring 2008
(Image credit: Michel Dufour)

Spring 2008

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Cruise 2008
(Image credit: Alexander Tamargo)

Cruise 2008

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(Image credit: Alexander Tamargo)

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(Image credit: Chris Moore/Catwalking)

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Haute Couture Fall 2007
(Image credit: Chris Moore/Catwalking)

Haute Couture Fall 2007

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Spring 2007
(Image credit: Michel Dufour)

Spring 2007

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Spring 2007
(Image credit: Catwalking)

Spring 2007

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Fall 2006
(Image credit: Francois Durand)

Fall 2006

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Spring 2006
(Image credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis)

Spring 2006

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Fall 2005
(Image credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis)

Fall 2005

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Spring 2005
(Image credit: Michel Dufour)

Spring 2005

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Spring 2005
(Image credit: Michel Dufour)

Spring 2005

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Spring 2004
(Image credit: Michel Dufour)

Spring 2004

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Spring 2003
(Image credit: Charly Hel/Prestige)

Spring 2003

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Fall 2003
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Fall 2003

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Spring 2002
(Image credit: Charly Hel/Prestige)

Spring 2002

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Haute Couture Fall 2000
(Image credit: Pierre VAUTHEY)

Haute Couture Fall 2000

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Haute Couture Spring 1999
(Image credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis)

Haute Couture Spring 1999

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Spring 1998
(Image credit: Conde Nast Collection)

Spring 1998

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Spring 1997
(Image credit: Conde Nast Collection)

Spring 1997

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Spring 1996
(Image credit: Images Press)

Spring 1996

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Haute Couture Fall 1995
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Haute Couture Fall 1995

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Spring 1994
(Image credit: Guy Marineau / Contributor)

Spring 1994

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Spring 1994
(Image credit: Guy Marineau / Contributor)

Spring 1994

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Fall 1993
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Fall 1993

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Haute Couture Spring 1992
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Haute Couture Spring 1992

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Spring 1992
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Spring 1992

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Spring 1992
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Spring 1992

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(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

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Spring 1991
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Spring 1991

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Spring 1990
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Spring 1990

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Haute Couture Spring 1990
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Haute Couture Spring 1990

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Spring 1989
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Spring 1989

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(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

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Fall 1988
(Image credit: Daniel SIMON)

Fall 1988

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Spring 1988
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Spring 1988

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Haute Couture Fall 1987
(Image credit: Daniel SIMON)

Haute Couture Fall 1987

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Fall 1986
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Fall 1986

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Fall 1985
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Fall 1985

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Fall 1985
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Fall 1985

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Fall 1984
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Fall 1984

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Fall 1984
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE)

Fall 1984

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