Yesterday in Paris celebrities and industry insiders came together to remember one of fashion’s most iconic figures: Karl Lagerfeld.

The German-born and Paris-based designer passed away earlier this year aged 85 – just days before his collection for Fendi was due to hit the runway – and this was the first time a public memorial had taken place for the designer. Aptly titled ‘Karl for Ever’, the ceremony, which was held in the Grand Palais – where so many of Karl’s most magical fashion moments took place – was hosted by the three houses Karl sat at the throne of: Fendi, Chanel and his own eponymous label. 

In keeping with the sartorial taste maker, the scene that was set was one that could only be described as chic. Black and white chairs were laid out like a chessboard beneath large monochrome portraits of the designer; a salute to his famed monochrome uniform of black fitted jeans, a crisp white shirt, fingerless black gloves and a snow white pony tail.

The memorial was not as you might have imagined: this wasn’t a catwalk show that dug into the archives of his designs at Fendi, Chanel and his own label and celebrated Karl as a designer. Instead, there was a clear message: this was about Karl the man – the one that so few people knew, as well his beloved cat, Choupette. 

Once all 2,500 guests were seated, the Grand Palais stage welcomed a cast of the biggest names in fashion and entertainment: Tilda Swinton recited an extract from Virgina Woolf’s Orlando of the designer’s favourite works, Dame Helen Mirren (dressed in a homage to Karl) read from The World According to Karl, a book of quotes by the designer whereby each one was punctuated by a piece of music from violinist Charlie Siem.

Cara Delevingne, in a pink feathered dress, paid tribute to Karl’s beloved Choupette with a poem about cats written by Colette. Finally, Pharell Williams took to the stage with a performance of his song Gust of Wind, which saw all the attendees on their feet. It was a fitting farewell for King Karl.  

Images: Getty