The British Fashion Council have announced that Karl Lagerfeld will be presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award at this year’s British Fashion Awards, for his unrivalled contribution to the fashion industry.

Lagerfeld is a formidable force. Having spent more than fifty years at the very pinnacle of the fashion industry, helming Chanel, Fendi, Chloé and his own eponymous brand, the German designer’s creative output spans wide across multiple mediums including photography, film and publishing.

Chair of the British Fashion Council Natalie Massenet MBE, commented:

“Karl Lagerfeld defines outstanding. He is the champion of excellence, the master of the exceptional and one of the most iconic figures globally from our industry. His life’s work for his own and so many extraordinary brands has written the language of fashion. He is the ultimate visionary and we celebrate not only the decades already passed but those yet to happen. In Karl’s hands the future of fashion will be an exceptional one.”

At 82 years old he stands firmly at the vanguard of the industry, the staggering pace at which he creates is worthy of the accolade alone, in fact, he recently revealed that scientists had asked if they could test his DNA because they believe he is “not normal”.

The timing of the award is fitting, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of Lagerfeld’s tenure as the Creative Director of Fendi, and the recent announcement of a Karl Lagerfeld menswear exclusive store in Paris. Retirement? What’s that?