The fashion community has gathered to say a final goodbye to legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld, as his ashes are likely scattered with those of his mother and late partner who died of AIDS in 1989.
The German designer who famously quipped ‘I’d rather die’ than be buried was cremated in Nanterre, west of Paris.
He passed away from pancreatic cancer aged 85 on Tuesday, and although he once said that he would have no funeral and was ‘really against remembrances’, large numbers gathered to pay their final respects.
A spokesman for his fashion brand Chanel has said ‘his wishes will be respected’ and there would be a private ceremony.
Among those in attendance were longtime editor-in-chief of Vogue Anna Wintour, Caroline de Monaco the Princess of Hanover, and Carine Roitfeld, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris.
Virginie Viard, who succeeds him as creative director at Chanel and Bernard Arnault, head of the luxury group LVMH, were also present.
Dame Anna Wintour DBE (left), who has been editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988, and is also artistic director for Condé Nast was among the fashion greats at Lagerfeld cremation today. She is pictured with Amanda Harlech, British creative consultant and writer with a long association with Lagerfeld
Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour was among well-wishers saying a final goodbye to designer Karl Lagerfeld today. She is pictured left with Amanda Harlech who joined Lagerfeld at Chanel in 1996
Caroline de Monaco (pictured), the Princess of Hanover, and Carine Roitfeld, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris were also seen at the cremation ceremony
Charlotte Casiraghi, the second child of Caroline, Princess of Hanover, was also in attendance. She is the eldest daughter of Princess Caroline of Hanover and one of the granddaughters of American actress Grace Kelly
Carine Roitfeld, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, was also in attendance at the ceremony today. She previously said of Lagerfeld: ‘Karl was my rock. He’s always been there for me, through years of friendship and creation’
Karl Lagerfeld’s coffin is carried ahead of his cremation in Nanterre, near Paris today. Dozens have gathered to pay their final respects at the ceremony
Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away from pancreatic cancer aged 85 on Tuesday, had famously once said that he would have no funeral and that he was ‘really against remembrances’
Model and Lagerfeld muse Brad Kroenig was pictured, along with his 11-year-old son Hudson, who is Lagerfeld’s godson.
Lagerfeld didn’t actually have any biological children, so the question remains whether the young child model — has been written into his godfather’s will and stands to inherit part of his $200 million fortune, but all the same this little boy has been very lucky to count Uncle Karl has as godfather.
The fashion designer, a notorious perfectionist, had written a manual dictating everything from the flowers to how to speak to customers offering their condolences.
It instructs employees to remove all items from the shop window and place a single bouquet of white roses with a company statement on display.
The five page document, seen by Bild, orders shop staff to ‘locally purchase a large, white flower bouquet existing out of white roses, to place in the middle of the (main) window.’
Lagerfeld writes that the roses must have 120cm (47in) long stems and should only be placed in a transparent or basic white vase.
The manual also provides staff with acceptable answers to give to customers when they offer their condolences, including ‘Thank you for your condolences’ or ‘It is a hard time for all of us’.
The statement on display, which was also published on Karl Lagerfeld’s Instagram reads: ‘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.
‘He was one of the most influential and celebrated designers of the 21st century and an iconic, universal symbol of style. Driven by a phenomenal sense of creativity, Karl was passionate, powerful and intensely curious.
‘He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as one of the greatest designers of our time, and there are no words to express how much he will be missed. ‘
Male model and Lagerfeld muse Brad Kroenig (left) with his son 11-year-old Hudson Kroenig (right), who is Karl Lagerfeld’s godson and may inherit part of his $200 million fortune
Lagerfeld with one of his recent muses, the daughter of Johnny Depp, US-French model Lily-Rose Depp, after his Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture collection show for Chanel at Paris Fashion Week
Companions: Jacques De Bascher wears a white jacket and waistcoat, as he accompanies his partner Karl Lagerfeld, wearing a black three-piece suit, in a photo believed to have been taken in the 1980s
Lagerfeld passed away in the French capital Paris this week, after being rushed to hospital.
The German-born artistic director for Chanel had looked increasingly frail in recent months, and had did not come out to take a bow at Chanel’s couture show in Paris in January, something the company 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.’
He had also given strict instructions regarding his funeral – or rather lack thereof.
The 85-year-old’s remains will be cremated and his ashes likely scattered with those of his mother and late French partner Jacques De Bascher, who died of AIDS in 1989.
Lagerfeld had told de Bascher’s biographer Marie Ottavi that some of his ashes were being stored ‘somewhere secret. One day they will be added to mine.’
He had also expressed a desire to be buried with his beloved pet cat Choupette, however she survived him and is now named as a potential heiress to his vast fortune.
‘His wishes will be respected,’ a Chanel spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
She added that as per Lagerfeld’s wishes – he once famously said: ‘There will be no funeral. I’d rather die!’ – there will be no ceremony.
The hearse accompanied by a police escort at the cremation of famous German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld in Nanterre, near Paris
Large crowds of Lagerfeld’s friends and family gathered to pay their respects today after he died on February 19 from pancreatic cancer