Karl Lagerfeld Left Instructions to His Store Employees About How He Wanted to Be Remembered
Karl Lagerfeld, the iconic Chanel and Fendi fashion designer who died at age 85 in Paris on Tuesday morning, was famous for his perfectionism. So it isn’t the least surprising that before he passed, Lagerfeld left his store employees a lengthy manual with detailed instructions on how he wanted to be remembered after his death.
In a five page document first obtained by German tabloid BILD, the designer instructed employees to remove all items from his store windows upon his death and simply place one bouquet of white roses and a company statement on display instead.
Lagerfeld said he wanted them to “locally purchase a large, white flower bouquet existing out of white roses, to place in the middle of the (main) window,” according to the memo.
He made sure to note that the roses must have 120 centimeter (47 inch) long stems and that he wanted them to only be placed in a transparent or basic white vase.
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In addition to providing his memorial instructions for his stores, Lagerfeld also provided his staff with the acceptable answers he wanted them to give to customers when they offer their condolences. On the approved list: “Thank you for your condolences” and “It is a hard time for all of us.”
The statement on display in front of Chanel stores 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.”
On Wednesday it was reported that here will be no funeral for the famed fashion designer — which is exactly what he would have wanted.
According to the French news agency, AFP, a spokeswoman from Lagerfeld’s eponymous line, Karl Lagerfeld, told the outlet, “His wishes will be respected.” In interviews he was very open about what he wanted to happen after he died. He wished to have his ashes scattered with those of his mother and late partner, Jacques de Bascher, and also preferred to eschew a ceremony.
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Lagerfeld notably said that he would never stop working, telling The New York Times in 2015 that he would “die on the spot.” And just like his predecessor, Gabrielle Chanel who died while working on her next collection, he too worked until the end.
