As with most artists, fashion designers are known for having muses. They seek a certain celebrity, model, or fashion personality from which they can draw inspiration for their designs, the fabrics they use, or the feel of their collections. Karl Lagerfeld, the creative director of and head designer for Chanel, has had quite the collection of muses during his time at the luxury brand. Check out which 9 stars are among the gaggle of girls who’ve inspired the designer over the past several years!
To see Karl Lagerfeld’s designs from the Chanel Fall 2013 runway show, check out Be Voguish!
Jessica Chastain
Oscar-nominated actress Jessica Chastain has been spotted at many fashion shows during Paris Fashion Week, so it was no surprise to see her in the front row at the Chanel Fall 2013 runway show. She wore a black and white ensemble and carried a classic quilted Chanel bag while posing for pictures with Karl before the show. Looks like she might be the latest muse for Lagerfeld!
Diane Kruger
Diane Kruger first moved to Paris to launch her modeling career at the age of 15. Within a few years, Karl Lagerfeld discovered her and singled her out as one of his muses. The pair has remained close ever since, with Lagerfeld serving as “a father figure” to Kruger. Diane says Karl was one of the first people to encourage her and boost her confidence in herself.
Tilda Swinton
Karl Lagerfeld named Tilda Swinton the face of his Pre-Fall 2013 collection. The designer shot the actress in a series of ads for the campaign. He even presented the collection at a palace outside Edinburgh, so it’s appropriate that he picked such a stylish Scottish star.
Elizabeth Olsen
Elizabeth Olsen wore a classic black Chanel tweed jacket as she posed for a photograph for Karl Lagferfeld’s book, The Little Black Jacket: Chanel’s Classic Revisited, in 2011. The actress became quite the fashion darling as soon as she made it big, and this part in the designer’s book caused everyone to wonder if she would be his next muse. Lagerfeld is also close to Elizabeth’s older sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley.
Blake Lively
Blake Lively was named the official ambassador for Chanel’s Mademoiselle handbag line in January 2011. “She’s a kind of American dream girl,” Lagerfeld stated after her new role was announced. He also said she was “full of life” and he expects her to “become a great actress.” Lively was spotted rubbing elbows with the designer many times that year.
Rachel Bilson
Rachel Bilson and Karl Lagerfeld first teamed up in 2011 to create a three-part short film series to promote Magnum ice cream, which launched in the U.S. that year. Lagerfeld directed Bilson in the ads, which the designer called an “easy job.” He called Bilson “a very good actress” and said she was great at adapting to the spirit of the films.
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan’s life might be a mess now, but she was once a part of Karl Lagerfeld’s inner circle. She arrived at 2007-2008 Chanel Cruise Show on the arm of the designer. She also attended the Fall-Winter 2010-2011 ready-to-wear show wearing head-to-toe Chanel. The designer once called Lohan “very touching as a person” and said he likes her because she behaves like “an overgrown-up person.”
Kate Bosworth
Kate Bosworth has arrived at many events on the arm of Karl Lagerfeld over the past few years. She frequently dons the designer’s creations. She wore a shimmering Chanel dress to the opening of Mobile Art: Chanel Contemporary Art Container by Zaha Hadid in New York in 2008.
Keira Knightley
Karl Lagerfeld cast Keira Knightley as the face of Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle perfume in 2006 and the pair has remained close ever since. Knightley frequently wears Chanel and it’s rumored that Lagerfeld will design the actress’s wedding gown for her nuptials to rocker James Righton.
