Designer Alber Elbaz dies at 59

Paris, Apr 25 (EFE).- Moroccan-born Israeli fashion designer Alber Elbaz has died, the luxury goods holding company Richemont said on Sunday. He was 59.

“It was with shock and enormous sadness that I heard of Alber’s sudden passing,” Richemont chairman Johann Rupert said in a statement.

“Alber had a richly deserved reputation as one of the industry’s brightest and most beloved figures,” he added.

Rupert has not revealed details of Elbaz’s cause of death, but British journalist and fashion critic Suzy Menkes said that he died from Covid-19.

“Alber Elbaz, the witty, wise and whimsical designer who put women first, has left this world after a three week struggle with Covid,” Menkes said in a post to Instagram.

Elbaz worked for Lanvin between 2001 and 2015 and had spells at several fashion houses such as Guy Laroche and Yves Saint Laurent, before launching his AZ Factory label.

“He was a man of exceptional warmth and talent, and his singular vision, sense of beauty and empathy leave an indelible impression,” Rupert pointed out.

Elbaz, who was made a knight of the French National Order of Legion of Honor in 2007, stood out for his simple designs and for having dressed Nicole Kidman, Kate Moss, Natalie Portman and Sofia Coppola, among others.EFE

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