PARIS: The iconic German-born designer, Karl Lagerfeld was one of the most hardworking figures in the fashion world holding down the top design jobs at LVMH-owned luxury label Fendi from 1977, and Paris’ family-owned power-house Chanel in 1983.

Chanel’s iconic couturier, Karl Lagerfeld, whose accomplished designs dominated high fashion for the last 50 years, has died. He was around 85 years old.

The iconic designer, who was the creative director of Chanel, is believed to have been unwell for two weeks before his death in a Paris hospital.

He joined Chanel as a couturier in 1983 and spent 36 years working for the company.

Lagerfeld worked tirelessly until the end, giving instructions to his teams for the Fendi fall ready-to-wear collection for whom he worked for more than half a century.

The show was due to take place in Milan on Thursday.