Diane Kruger recalls 'special bond' she shared with late Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld

'For the last 20 years I would see him twice or three times a week'

Sabrina Barr
Friday 02 August 2019 10:31 BST
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Diane Kruger has spoken about the "special bond" she shared with Karl Lagerfeld and how the fashion icon died before having a chance to meet her daughter.

On Tuesday 19 February, Chanel confirmed that the creative director of the French fashion house had passed away in Paris at the age of 85.

Celebrity tributes in homage to the German fashion designer flooded social media, one of which was shared by Kruger.

On Thursday, the German-American actor spoke to People about the close friendship she and Lagerfeld forged over the years, having lived in close proximity to one another in the French capital.

"He was my neighbour in Paris, so I want to say for the last 20 years I would see him twice or three times a week just walking down the street," the 43-year-old said of the designer.

Kruger opened up about the fond memories she has of Lagerfeld, "from walking through Versailles with him or flying with him to China in his plane".

"You know, he was truly somebody very eccentric and very funny, but also very sweet," the Inglourious Basterds star stated.

"We spoke German to each other, so I think we always had a very special bond because nobody could understand."

Kruger also expressed her sadness over the fact that Lagerfeld never had a chance to meet her nine-month-old daughter.

"You know it’s kind of sad, I flew to Paris so he could meet my daughter, and he passed away the day before we were supposed to meet. It’s really sad. He had a good life," the actor said.

Following the news of Lagerfeld's death, Kruger shared a photograph of the fashion designer on Instagram alongside a heartfelt caption.

"Karl... I cannot tell you how much you meant to me and how much I will miss you," the National Treasure star wrote.

"I will never forget your kindness towards me, your laughs, your imagination."

In July, it was announced that several of Lagerfeld's close friends will be designing their own custom interpretations of his iconic white shirt.

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Celebrities involved in the project include Kruger, models Cara Delevingne and Kate Moss, fashion designers Tommy Hilfiger and Alessandro Michele and racing driver Lewis Hamilton.

Seven of the final designs will be replicated 77 times each and sold for charity at a price of €777 (£698) each.

All proceeds of the shirt sales will be donated to the French charity “Sauver la Vie,” which funds medical research at the Paris Descartes University.

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