As a teenager, Lagerfeld worked at Balmain for four years before moving to Jean Patou where he became artistic director at 21. Notoriously prolific, he started designing for the Fendi sisters in 1965, took on Chloé in the mid-70s, and became director of Chanel's haute couture and ready-to-wear collections in 1983. Lagerfeld headed his signature label from 1984 to 1997. It was resurrected a year later as Lagerfeld Gallery, with the name changed back in 2006 to Karl Lagerfeld. His prolific portfolio now encompasses Chanel and Fendi along with his own house. A talented dilettante who dabbles in photography and collecting, he transformed his signature look with a dramatic weight loss in 2000.

"I'm not a marketing person. I don't ask myself questions. I go by instinct."