Fashion designer Alber Elbaz dies of Covid Published: 2:35 AM, Apr 28, 2021
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Alber Elbaz, the fashion designer whose playful designs transformed the storied French house Lanvin into an industry darling before his shock ouster in 2015, has died aged 59 after a battle with Covid-19, the Richemont luxury group said Sunday. It was with shock and enormous sadness that I heard of Alber s sudden passing, Richemont chairman Johann Rupert said in a statement.
The veteran fashion journalist Suzy Menkes, citing Rupert in an Instagram post, said Elbaz has left this world after a three-week struggle with Covid .
A company spokeswoman confirmed Elbaz had died from Covid on Saturday, but would not confirm reports he was being treated at the American Hospital in the Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine.
Alber Elbaz, affable designer who transformed the fortunes of the Lanvin fashion house – obituary
His designs were always practical and easy to wear, and he managed to repurpose Lanvin as a celebrity favourite with an offbeat feel
Alber Elbaz in 2016
Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Alber Elbaz, who has died of Covid-19 aged 59, was the affable creative director of Lanvin from 2001 to 2015, transforming one of the oldest fashion houses in France into one of the 21st century’s most exciting luxury labels, defined by classic cuts and lush fabrics, offset by striking costume jewellery – and a romantic, off-kilter aesthetic.
Elbaz created the gold dress worn by Meryl Streep when she accepted her Oscar for Best Actress in 2012 for The Iron Lady, while Kate Moss wore an Elbaz dress on her first night out after giving birth to her daughter, Lila Grace, and Tilda Swinton wore an Elbaz black bias-cut skirt and fawn chiffon blouse at the 2009 Oscars ceremony.
Last modified on Tue 4 May 2021 13.18 EDT
Of all the designers who resuscitated a Paris label during 40 years of fashion necromancy, none was better than Alber Elbaz at the house of Lanvin, where he was creative director from 2001 to 2015.
Even Karl Lagerfeld channelling Gabrielle Chanel never had the rapport with or respect for his foundress that Elbaz, who has died aged 59 of Covid-19, did with Jeanne Lanvin. Founding her company in 1889, she had had initial success when clients wanted for their own children the dresses she confected for her daughter before the first world war; after the war, adult women wore similar easy garments, and Lanvin’s were the prettiest and kindest.
What does heritage mean to fashion brands? A lot of different things, apparently. Photo: Gucci
For the most part, measure of success for a fashion brand often lies in its longevity. As the industry is seen as incredibly fast-moving, names that can endure for years are often celebrated for their heritage.
Recently, several big brands marked a milestone in history. The Michael Kors label turned 40 this year – in which the “birthday party” transformed New York City’s Times Square into one big runway.
Iconic faces who rose to fame alongside the American designer in the 1980s and 90s (like Naomi Campbell) joined forces with today’s crop of it-models to present a lively and vibrant collection.