What is an artist without a muse. Late Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld was known to have many models that inspired his designs. His approval was believed to be a kingmaker in the fashion industry. Here’s a few of Karl’s favorite models that are inseparable from the brand’s success under the brand.

Kendall Jenner
The millennial supermodel has been a staple in Chanel shows since she started on the catwalk as teen often walking the closing piece. Jenner has been the face of Chanel for this decade, and has appeared in a number of the brand’s print ads. She’s also a huge fan of the storied fashion house and photographed on numerous occasions wearing her personal Chanel pieces.

Claudia Schiffer
Just as Jenner embodied the energy of the 10s, Schiffer defined the 90s. The OG supermodel’s star power helped the brand raise to become one of the the most prominent brands of the decade. Like Jenner, Schiffer was and inseparable element of Chanel runway shows, and was featured in many of the brand’s bridal designs.

Since Lagerfeld’s passing Schiffer shared on Instagram, “He taught me about fashion, style and survival in the fashion business. What Warhol was to art, he was to fashion; he is irreplaceable. He is the only person who could make black and white colourful! I will be eternally grateful to him.”

Linda Evangelista
Linda Evangelista ushered the brand into a new era in the early 90s, injecting the hard-edged and flashy glamour that’s inseparable with her persona. Some her looks, including her stunt in 1991 Hip Hop inspired collection have become iconic imagery within the brand.

Even fashionphile Cardi B has paid her homage to Evangelista’s collaborations with Chanel in a cookie cutter look from a 1995 campaign.

Inès de la Fressange
Parisian model Inès de la Fressange plays a key role in fashion history as the first model to ever sign an exclusive contract with the fashion house. This iconic French beauty was the face of the brand during the last 80s just as Lagerfeld was really starting to find his stride at Chanel. After a publicized falling out in 1989, the original muse returned to walk the runways again in Spring 2011.

Other notable Chanel faces throughout the years include the doll-faced Gemma Ward, Cara Devalingne, and Helena Christensen.