Hamburg dedicates riverfront promenade to Karl Lagerfeld

Five years after renowned German designer Karl Lagerfeld passed away, the city of Hamburg has dedicated a promenade to him. The 155-metre pedestrian walkway and hiking path along one bank of the Alster river in the city centre was officially named after Lagerfeld on Thursday.

Speaking at the promenade's inauguration, Carsten Brosda, head of the Hamburg Authority for Culture and Media, said that Lagerfeld’s highly recognisable style had made him a household name in international fashion. “Lagerfeld’s artistic spirit has also left traces in his native city [of Hamburg], now also in the form of this promenade,” said Brosda.

With his white ponytail, sunglasses and starched white collar, Lagerfeld fashioned himself into an artistic personality, and turned into a legend. For over half a century, his work helped define fashion. He gave a new lease of life to tweed jackets, adding ribbons and tassels, and matched haute couture dresses with sneakers. He talent-spotted many top models, and made mega-stars of Claudia Schiffer and his male muse Baptiste Giabiconi.