PICS: Karl Lagerfeld's last collection for Chanel #PFW

Karl Lagerfeld's last collection for Chanel opened with a minute's silence for the late designer on Tuesday, as friends, collaborators and fans turned out in Paris to remember his 35 years as the creative force behind the French couture house.

Kristen Stewart arrives at the Chanel show at Paris Fashion Week. (Reuters)

Conceived before his death at 85 in late February, the extravaganza transformed the catwalk into a typically over-the-top winter wonderland, complete with wooden chalets and smoking chimneys, sealing Lagerfeld's reputation at the pinnacle of fashion showmanship.

Chanel show at Paris Fashion Week. (Reuters)

Actress Penelope Cruz, one of the faces of the brand, took to the snowy runway in a white, feathery puffball dress, followed by 17-year-old teen supermodel Kaia Gerber, who collaborated with Lagerfeld on designs for his eponymous brand.

Actress Penelope Cruz. (Reuters)

Cara Delevingne, who has credited Lagerfeld for "changing her life", took a last lap of the catwalk along with other teary-eyed models after opening the show.

Model Cara Delevingne wears a creation as part of the Chanel ready to wear Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Guests also heard from "Kaiser Karl" himself, with an account of how he first took the job at Chanel in 1983 played over the speakers inside the Grand Palais exhibition hall.

"When I was asked a second time, I accepted, because everyone told me don't do it, it won't work," the German designer said, speaking in French.

"It's the first time that a brand managed to become fashionable again, to turn itself into something desirable," Lagerfeld added.

Included with show notes was a sketch by Lagerfeld - one of an increasingly rare group of designers who drew his own designs by hand - featuring himself and Coco Chanel, with the words "the beat goes on."

Lagerfeld was instantly recognisable, thanks to the white, pony-tailed hair, black suits and round-the-clock sunglasses he favoured in his later years.

His twists on the brand's famed tweed suits, season after season, earned him a faithful following. Tuesday's collection included bubblegum pink looks, fuzzy, woollen skirts to cosy up in and furry snow boots.