The fashion designer with the eternal bow tie who had awakened the Lanvin house is no more.

Alber Elbaz, 59, died on Saturday April 24 from the Covid-19.

"It was under the shock and with great sadness that I learned of the sudden death of Alber (...) He was a man of exceptional warmth and very talented, and his vision so singular, his meaning beauty and empathy will leave an indelible mark, "said Johann Rupert, head of Swiss luxury group Richemont in a statement.

Alber Elbaz marked the world of fashion with his little dresses, popular with actresses like Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett and Sienna Miller.

Macron hails a man who "forged the legend of French elegance"

"Anyone lucky enough to have worked with this amazing man knows he was one of the funniest, funniest men in the business, a true trailblazer," commented on Instagram Edward Enninful, editor. head of

British

Vogue

.

"He was a man appreciated by all for his humanity and his exceptional humor; he was also a creative genius admired for his style combining femininity and modernity", tweeted François-Henri Pinault, CEO of the luxury group Kering (Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent).

"He will have extended and enriched this line of designers who have forged the legend of French elegance," commented President Emmanuel Macron in a press release on Sunday evening, praising "a designer who made French elegance shine around the world. ".

On Twitter, British designer Stella McCartney praised "her immense talent" who "shattered conventions and enveloped millions of souls in happiness when they wore her creations".

He "offered on the catwalks and throughout his career unique aesthetic moments," said Ralph Toledano, president of the Federation of Haute Couture and Fashion, in a statement.

At the head of Lanvin for 14 years

Born in Morocco, Alber Elbaz (born Albert) began his career with American designer Geoffrey Beene in New York before being hired by Guy Laroche.

He then took over from Yves Saint-Laurent for the French couturier's ready-to-wear line in 1998 before joining Lanvin in 2001.

At its head for 14 years, the Israeli-American has succeeded in putting the oldest French fashion house, founded by Jeanne Lanvin in 1889, back into the firmament of the fashion world.

He affirms his style and his vision of fashion for women.

A functional fashion that must accompany their bodies and enhance them.

"Women are more independent, they dare more. They do not depend on their husband who gives them a check to buy a dress. They do not depend on a stylist either (...) A piece of clothing must accompany them. . They want to move with it, to live with it. Movement is essential for me, it's life, "he said in an interview with

L'Express

magazine

in 2008.

A new start in 2019

In 2015, he was ousted from the Lanvin house.

A brutal departure for the creator, who will have difficulty recovering from it.

The following years, he is discreet, producing a few collaborations here and there.

He notably signed one for Tod's on bags and shoes and another with Converse.

At the end of 2019, he joined forces with the Swiss Richemont to launch his own brand "AZ Factory", which he wanted "functional and suitable for everyone".

"It's a new start. A digital luxury brand based on innovation and technology, but above all, a place to experiment and try new ideas," he said.

A new start that is cut short and that leaves a world in mourning, a few months after the death of Kenzo, also died of Covid-19.

With AFP

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