Just like a passing winds and moving waves, these giant fashion icons left the world too soon, leaving behind legacies.
Fashion Collection pays tribute these fashion icons for their great contribution in creating outstanding style in their own unique way.
Isabella Blow
The British fashion icon and whimsical lover of millinery was a Mentée of Anna Wintour, and responsible for discovering talents such as Alexander McQueen and Philip Treacy, whose artistic hats she made famous. She died in 2007 at age 48.
Gia Carangi
The American fashion model known as “the world’s first supermodel” died in 1986 at age 26 after shooting to fame in her teens. Angelina Jolie portrayed her in the 1997 eponymous HBO film Gia.
Kate Spade
The fashion designer and handbag maven known for her sweet, sunny aesthetic sent shock waves through the industry when she died in 2018 at the age of 55.
Perry Ellis
The 1986 death of charismatic fashion and sportswear designer Perry Ellis at age 46 was one of the earliest deaths within the fashion industry. It was devastating for the entire industry to see such a renowned and inspiring fashion designer to die so young.
Marilyn Monroe
Perhaps the most legendary fashion symbol of modern times, model-turned-actress Marilyn Monroe died at 36 years of age in 1962. She has left behind a legacy of amazing fashion work that is inspiring for the generations to come.
Alexander Mcqueen
The 40-year-old British fashion designer died in 2010. He had been suffering from depression for years and was devastated by his mother’s death earlier and the death of his mentor Isabella Blow.
Christian Dior
The legendary French fashion designer died of a heart attack in Italy in 1957, at the age of 52. After his sudden death, his protégé Yves Saint Laurent succeeded him at age 22, and upheld the house’s legacy.
Stephen Sprouse
The American fashion designer and punk pioneer died in 2004 of heart failure at age 50. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer a year prior. His cult status as an emblem of uptown and downtown fashion inspired the likes of Marc Jacobs.
Richard Nicoll
This fashion designer died suddenly aged 39 after suffering a severe heart attack in Sydney in 2016. The British-born designer had graduated from Central Saint Martins, in London, in 2002 and then returned to Australia where he had grown up, to develop his eponymous label. Before his death, he had been preparing to take up the role of creative director at Adidas.
Raffaele Borriello
Shanghai Tang’s creative director Raffaele Borriello died in Paris on July 4, 2017 because of complications during surgery. Before joining Shanghai Tang, the Italian designer had worked for other luxury fashion labels including Leonard and Sonia Rykiel. He was 50.