Victoria Beckham paid tribute to "genius" Karl Lagerfeld in the wake of the iconic fashion designer's death.

Karl Lagerfeld and Victoria Beckham

Karl Lagerfeld and Victoria Beckham

The designer and creative director of luxury brand Chanel sadly passed away on Tuesday (19.02.19) aged 85 after battling ill health for several weeks, and the entire fashion world is now mourning his loss.

Victoria - who runs her own eponymous label - logged on to her Instagram account to say: "So incredibly sad to hear this. Karl was a genius and always so kind and generous to me both personally and professionally. RIP x vb (sic)"

Donatella Versace also spoke out to praise Lagerfeld, echoing Beckham's sentiments and revealing how much he had taught her over the years.

She said: "Karl your genius touched the lives of so many, especially Gianni and I. We will never forget your incredible talent and endless inspiration. We were always learning from you."

Model Alexa Chung recalled how "witty and generous" Lagerfeld was when she interviewed him, and said knowing him was "an honour".

She wrote: "Rest in peace, Karl. I remember being so scared to interview you and yet you were in fact incredibly witty and generous.

"Thank you for inviting me to some of the most glamorous experiences of my life, it was an honour to know you. Oh yeah and thanks for the dry shampoo tip, will always think of you as I powder my wig."

Also amongst the stars paying their respects after the tragic news broke was Kris Jenner, who described the fashion icon as a "dear friend".

She tweeted: "It was such a thrill and a pleasure to have met you, to have worked with you, and to have experienced the amazing times when you would photograph my girls for your beautiful campaigns.

"There will never be another like you, my dear friend. You will be truly missed."

The outpouring of emotion comes after a Chanel spokesperson confirmed the news in a statement.

They said: "It is with deep sadness that the House of Chanel announces the passing of Karl Lagerfeld, the Creative Director for the Chanel Fashion House since 1983.

"An extraordinary individual, Karl Lagerfeld, reinvented the brand's codes created by Gabrielle Chanel."