At 21, he won his first prize in a competition organized by the International Wool Textile Organization for a coat design. The coat was produced by Pierre Balmain, for whom Karl Lagerfeld was then working as an assistant. Karl led the fashion houses Chanel (36 years), Chloe and Fendi (54 years). In 1984, he created his own brand, Karl Lagerfeld, while working at Chanel and Fendi. After Karl's death in 2019, his post was taken by Han Kim, Karl's right-hand man during his lifetime. Han is originally from South Korea and studied in Seoul and New York. Worked for brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Elie Tahari and Ralph Lauren. Khan creates all collections together with Carine Roitfeld, Karl’s close friend, with whom they were friends for 25 years.