The fashion world lost an icon when Karl Lagerfeld passed away on February 19, aged 85, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
And Chanel muses Cara Delevingne, 26, Penelope Cruz, 44, and Kaia Gerber, 17, paraded down a snowy runway as his final collection was shown at the Grand Palais in Paris with an alpine-themed show.
Cara opened the presentation and looked incredible wearing a white checked jumpsuit which had a plunging neckline and a belt which cinched the fabric in at the waist.
There for one another: Cara comforted a crying model as they opened the show together on what must have been an incredibly emotional day
Stunning: Actress Kristen Stewart, 28, was not pictured on the runway, but she pulled out all the stops, wearing a plunging quilted one-piece, suitable for the slopes and covered in the famous Chanel logo
She placed her hands in a praying motion before throwing her arms up as she danced down the runway for her late good friend. She then comforted a crying model as they walked alongside one another in the snow.
Cara completed her fashion forward look with a matching top hat and threw a hounds-tooth overcoat with a giant statement necklace.
Actress Penelope wore a fluffy white skirt and matching top for a very angelic walk down the runway, while holding a white rose in her hand in tribute to Karl.
Fitting: Guests had been instructed not to wear heels, (although most did) because of the snow which filled the venue – the perfect tribute to Karl, who was born in Hamburg, at a castle outside of Salzburg, Austria
Memories: Kaia wore a white mini dress which was embellished with flowers at the top section and had a furry skirt detail. She looked beautiful as she walked down the runway clapping for him
A nice touch: The models followed Kaia as she led the applause on the day while looking sartorially stunning
Sent from above: Penelope looked flawless in her crisp white ensemble, wearing a feather in her hair
Iconic: Those in the audience scrambled to capture the magical moment on their cameras
Kaia wore a white mini dress which was embellished with flowers at the top section and had a furry skirt detail. She looked beautiful as she walked down the runway clapping for him.
Actress Kristen Stewart, 28, was not pictured on the runway, but she pulled out all the stops, wearing a plunging quilted one-piece, suitable for the slopes and covered in the famous Chanel logo.
She wore Mary Jane heels and perched a pair of red sunglasses on the end of her nose as she posed for photographers while honouring Karl and later took to the FROW with singer, Janelle Monae, 33.
Dancing to his tune: Cara put a brave spin on things as she danced her way through the snow
Follow my lead: Cara stuck her tongue out as she span another model around in a fun display
Fun: Models added pops of colour to the snowy scenes with pops of caramel, pink and blue walking down the runway
Footprints in the snow: Penelope (second from right) walked alongside three other stunning models, who were all dressed in white
Very tough time: Models were overcome with sadness as they showcased Karl’s final designs
Guests had been instructed not to wear heels because of the snow which filled the venue – the perfect tribute to Karl, who was born in Hamburg, at a castle outside of Salzburg, Austria.
An official statement published after his death and posted on 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.
Virginie Viard, 57, Karl’s longtime collaborator for over 30 years and director of Chanel’s Fashion Creation Studio has taken over at the creative helm of the brand.
You can go your own way: The brand has come a long way since Karl reinvented it in the 80s
That’s one way to keep warm: Models wore moon boots and padded jackets with striped dresses and the traditional Chanel bag got a final twist with a shearling detail
All white: The scene had alpine lodges built and trees planted which were sprayed with snow
Who needs a red carpet? Sweaters, sheer fabrics and ski related attire were some of the key themes
The German-born artistic director for Chanel had appeared increasingly frail in recent months, and had did not come out to take a bow at Chanel’s couture show in Paris in January.
At the time, the company had attributed to him being ‘too tired’.
‘He hadn’t gone on about his illness, but battled it very bravely,’ said one source. ‘Karl was very proud of his fitness and healthy living, so the pancreatic cancer came as a huge shock.’
Mother figure: Cara kept a watchful eye over the models as guests took photos of every moment
Turning to them: Cara managed to hold back her own tears, while the rest of the models struggled
Remembering him: Karl Lagerfeld with Kendall Jenner and Cara during the Chanel A/W show back in March 2015
Tears: There was a one minute’s silence held for Karl, which was broken by the sound of Karl’s voice which was played on a tannoy, (pictured Julia Restoin Roitfeld and her mother, former Vogue France editor-in-chief, Carine Roitfeld)
Symbolic: Virginie Viard, Karl’s longtime collaborator for over 30 years, has taken over at the creative helm and made her first appearance at the end of the catwalk
There was a one minute’s silence for Karl, during which the models appeared in a line at the top of the set, to pay their respects. This was broken by the sound of Karl’s voice which was played on a tannoy.
French art director and model Julia Restoin Roitfeld and her mother, former editor-in-chief of Vogue France editor Carine Roitfeld were pictured in tears during the period of silence.
Supermodels Naomi Campbell, 48, and Claudia Schiffer, also 48, walked to their seats in the front row linking arms with one another.
Naomi wore gold boots and a matching hat, with her bouclé jacket sporting a matching collar, while Claudia wore red trousers and a white jumper, sporting a quilted bag.
They’re a fan: Actresses Alma Jodorowsky, left, and Marion Cotillard, second from right, applaud the Chanel ready to wear Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection
She’s got the look: Giving a nod to her celebrity status, Twilight star Kristen wore a pair of red framed red lens sunglasses
A-list FROW: Kristen was seated next to singer Janelle Monae in prime seats
Signature look: Kristen styled her cropped peroxide blonde locks into a texture sweptback hairdo, she added a slick of make-up
His golden girls: Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer, both 48, were watching from the front row, (left) – Claudia also caught up with actress Monica Bellucci, 54, (right)
Claudia also caught up with actress Monica Bellucci, 54, who looked sensational in a monochrome belted coat and dark sunglasses. She made a rare appearance with her artist boyfriend Nicolas Lefebvre.
French actress and Chanel muse Marion Cotillard, 43, was typically chic in a gorgeous monochrome dress and suede boots while singer Janelle Monae, 33, rocked colour with her rainbow layered dress and enviable arm candy.
Actress Ellie Bamber, 22, wore a tabard style dress and thigh-high boots, which had gold graffiti scrawled all over them. Her dress had delicate blue beadwork around the neckline.
The fash-pack: (L-R) Clemence Poesy, Monica Bellucci, her boyfriend Nicolas Lefebvre, Naomi Campbell, Laura Bailey, Claudia Schiffer, and guests
Sadness: There were tears from model and music producer Caroline de Maigret, as Naomi and Claudia comforted her
Taking a moment: Model Clemence Poesy put her head in her hands as she was overcome with grief
Fancy seeing you here: Actress Monica made a rare appearance with her artist boyfriend Nicolas
Giggles: Naomi and Claudia made one another laugh as they prepared to take to their seats
Superstar: Naomi looked like a vision in her ensemble as she applauded along with the rest of the FROW
Model Laura Bailey, 46, was dressed in snowy white and wore matching white lace-up shoes – she carried a bright red Chanel logo bag in her hand.
And Cara had her biggest fans in the front row as girlfriend Ashley Benson and sister Poppy led the a-list arrivals at the designer showcase.
Pretty Little Liars star Ashley, who has been inseparable from Cara since they met in 2018 on the set of movie Her Smell, looked proud as she left her hotel in a blue satin jacket closely followed by Cara’s older sister Poppy.
FROW regulars: French actress and Chanel muse Marion Cotillard was typically chic in a gorgeous monochrome dress and suede boots while singer Janelle Monae rocked colour with her rainbow layered dress and enviable arm candy
A moment of reflection: Kristen appeared to have lots on her mind as she glanced at the catwalk
Careful in the snow: Model Lara Stone must have been cold in her T-shirt dress and strappy sandals
I can’t stand the rain: A man held an umbrella over Kristen’s head as she made her way into the Grand Palais
Making an appearance: Of course Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour paid tribute in an incredible pink suit
Ashley, 29, rocked her wrap jacket with chain detail, teaming the statement piece with leather leggings and chic heels.
She accessorised with a jewel-encrusted shoulder bag and Chanel earrings, adding to the nineties vibe with backcombed locks and dark eyeliner.
Poppy coordinated with Ashley in her own leather look, pairing thigh-high boots with a black jacket and topped off with statement shades.
Her girls: Cara had her biggest fans in the front row on Tuesday, as girlfriend Ashley Benson, (left) and sister Poppy, (right) led the a-list arrivals
What a look: Ellie Bamber was pictured wearing gold graffiti-inspired boots and a matching tabard dress
Girls, girls, girls: Ellie Bamber and Elisa Sednaoui (second from left and second from right) waited patiently
Relaxed style: Penelope nailed a casual ensemble as she later left Cocktail Chanel at La Reserve hotel in a contrast sweater and baggy jeans
High spirits: Despite a hectic schedule the beauty greeted waiting fans with a huge smile as she signed autographs
How Karl Lagerfeld transformed Chanel from an ailing label known for prim tweed suits to a celeb favourite with rockstar edge (but failed to win back the royals after acerbic remarks on the Middletons)
By Unity Blott
The late Karl Lagerfeld may have reversed the fortunes of ailing fashion label Chanel, but the fashion chief never succeeded in winning over the royal family.
The designer, who died on Tuesday aged 85, is widely credited with overhauling the French luxury house, once known for its sensible tweed two-pieces, into a cutting-edge fashion powerhouse synonymous with smudged eyeliner, show-stopping couture and futuristic minis.
When he took the helm of Chanel in 1983, he shifted focus away from fragrance and accessories and focused on updating its heritage pieces, injecting much-needed life into its couture line following the death of legendary founder Coco Chanel.
As of 2019, he he boasted an A-list following including the likes of Keira Knightley and Kristen Stewart and Chanel was turning over around $10bn (£7.7bn) a year.
Chanel has undergone an image overhaul of epic proportions, from tweed two-pieces to futuristic minis (pictured: Kristen Stewart in Chanel at the Cannes Film Festival, May 2018)
The way they were: A navy two-piece suit on the Chanel runway in Paris, one of Lagerfeld’s first shows for the French fashion house’s AW 1983-1984 collection
Despite his celebrity clientele, Lagerfeld failed to secure a coveted spot in the royal wardrobe and, unlike other major luxury houses such as Dolce & Gabbana and Alexander McQueen, was widely snubbed by Palace stylists.
The Duchess of Cambridge has notably worn Chanel just once – during a visit to the French capital in 2017 – while the Duchess of Sussex has not been seen in the label since her pre-royal days.
Insiders had long suspected the royal snub was linked to Lagerfeld’s acid-tongued remarks about the Middletons; after the 2011 wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, he famously said Kate has a ‘nice silhouette’, but that sister Pippa Middleton ‘struggles’.
Speaking to a German magazine, he said: ‘Kate Middleton has a nice silhouette and she is the right girl for that boy. I like that kind of woman, I like romantic beauties.’
The late Princess of Wales once favoured Lagerfeld’s designs (pictured in a Chanel suit in Windsor, 1997) but she later refused to wear Chanel because it reminded her of Charles
Keira Knightley in Chanel couture for the Atonement premiere at the Venice Film Festival in August 2007. The actress is a Chanel ambassador and has starred in fragrance adverts
‘On the other hand, her sister struggles,’ the designer added. ‘I don’t like the sister’s face. She should only show her back.’
While the late Princess of Wales once favoured Lagerfeld’s designs, she later refused to wear Chanel because its iconic double-C emblem ‘reminded her of Charles and Camilla’.
Chanel sources confirmed on Tuesday that Lagerfeld had died in Paris at the age of 85 following a period of ill health.
His death comes after he missed the Chanel haute couture show in Paris in January for the first time since his arrival in 1983.
The Duchess of Cambridge has notably worn Chanel just once – during a visit to the French capital in 2017 (pictured during a visit to Les Invalides military hospital)
Lagerfeld was also the creative director of Italian fur and leather goods fashion house Fendi, as well as his eponymous fashion label, which he launched in 1984.
The designer had worked with the likes of Chloé and H&M, and was also an acclaimed photographer, having gone behind the lens for a number of high fashion magazines and for his own fashion campaigns.
Regarded as one of the most important fashion visionaries of the 20th and 21st centuries, he was known for regularly wearing sunglasses and a black suit with a white shirt, with his grey hair pulled back into a ponytail.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk