Karl Lagerfield has opened his boutique in Saint-Petersburg.

On Friday Karl Lagerfield opened his first boutique in the city. Petersburg beaumonde, fashion editors and just Lagerfield lovers came to see his new collection and boutique.

Karl Lagerfeld was born in 1938 in Hamburg, Germany, to a wealthy family. In 1952 he went to Paris. In 154 he won a prize for a wool coat from the Wool Secretariat (Yves Saint Laurent won the same award for a dress).

Lagerfeld first worked for Pierre Balmain (1954-57), then in 1958 he moved to House of Patou. For a while, he freelanced at Krizia. He worked for Chloé in 1959-78, during this time he began to design furs for Fendi (in 1965) and also launched his company, Parfums Lagerfeld (in 1975). Lagerfeld designed independently from 1978 to 1982, when he began designing haute couture at the House of Chanel. In 1983, with the help of Gilles du Four, he added Chanel ready-to-wear garments to his list of responsibilities.

Although he continued to design for Chanel, Lagerfeld established his own design business in 1984 and resumed designing for Chloé in 1992. The engagement with Chloé ended in 1997, when design at Chloé was took over by ex-Beatle Paul's daugther Stella McCartney. Lagerfeld currently designs for three companies: his own label, Chanel, and furs for Fendi of Italy.

His signature line, which is developed from sketches, features very structural and dramatic women's wear, mostly in black and white. He featured the "Wunderbra" and the "Wundercorset" in 1994.

As an avid photographer, Lagerfeld often shoots his own press photos, and is sometimes called "Kaiser Karl" by the press. His personal trademarks include a fan, a long ponytail for his powdered-white hair, and sunglasses. He is a uniquely confident man and speaks German, French, English, and Italian.

Lagerfeld is a member of Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter

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