Alber Elbaz Has Died, Aged 59
Alber Elbaz, the previous creative director and designer of Lanvin, one of the oldest Parisian fashion houses, has passed away aged 59 due to Covid-19. The news was delivered by Swiss Luxury group Richemont, with whom he had launched the new label AZ Factory.
Born in Morocco and educated in Israel, Elbaz climbed the ranks of the fashion industry from a small dressmaker’s shop in NYC, becoming designer Geoffrey Beene’s senior assistant. He moved to Paris in 1996 to take over from designer Guy Laroche, but soon left when offered a position to succeed Yves Saint Laurent as designer of his hit YSL Rive Gauche ready-to-wear line. Elbaz was quickly replaced from the label after three seasons due to a takeover by the Gucci Group and Tom Ford, but then landed in Lanvin, where he transformed the Parisian couture house from an ailing artefact to one of fashion’s hottest names, with peak sales reaching 235 million euros.
Elbaz was a successful designer who went above and beyond for his target demographic. His versatility, sophistication and professionalism when creating garments was impressive and well-regarded during his career and in his personal life. Following the announcement of the designer’s death, tributes poured in from across the industry. Here are just some that account most for him and his career:
AZ Factory: “It is with extremely heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our founder, Alber Elbaz. The power of his vision, his extraordinary imagination, his adoration of women, and his kind heart have fuelled his latest gift to our lives: AZ Factory. He lived for fashion, and we are all so lucky to have been a part of his adventure, Alber’s project to reset fashion to care.
Alber, we will all carry your mission in our hearts, and your generosity in our lives. The world has lost a legend. We love you, Alber.”
Johann Rupert, Chairman of Richemont: “It was with shock and enormous sadness that I heard of Alber’s sudden passing. Alber had a richly deserved reputation as one of the industry’s brightest and most beloved figures. I was always taken by his intelligence, sensitivity, generosity and unbridled creativity. He was a man of exceptional warmth and talent, and his singular vision, sense of beauty and empathy leave an indelible impression.
It was a great privilege watching Alber in his last endeavour as he worked to realise his dreams of ‘smart fashion that cares’. His inclusive vision of fashion made women feel beautiful and comfortable by blending traditional craftsmanship with technology - highly innovative projects which sought to redefine the industry.
Alber will be greatly missed by all of us who had the good fortune to know him or work with him. On behalf of all of my colleagues at Richemont and AZ Factory, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends. On a personal note, I would like to add that I have lost not only a colleague but a beloved friend. Rest in peace Alber.”
Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode: “Alber’s great talent, his generosity, his human warmth and his sense of femininity made him a unique figure in the world of fashion and creation.
Alber Elbaz has offered us unique aesthetic moments on the catwalk and throughout his career. We will particularly miss his bubbling creativity, his joyful vision of fashion and his willingness to constantly redefine it.”
Ralph Toledano, President of FHCM, said: “Alber Elbaz had an immense talent. He put love and humanity at the centre of his work. He had an absolute and driving desire for modernity. He felt things better than anyone else and took the time and distance to reinvent his fashion work between know-how and innovation. He was my brother by heart.”
LVMH: Chief Executive Bernard Arnault said: “With the sudden passing of Alber Elbaz, the fashion industry has lost one of its brightest and most sensitive designers. His creativity, both irreverent and elegant, will forever be remembered.”
Giambattista Valli: “At the time we could kiss …. it was your ‘Légion d’honneur’… we could happily laugh without masks and hug with pure friendship and love. I will hug, kiss and love you forever, my dear friend… your beautiful mind and effortlessly cultivated attitude for life will be living forever in my soul. Bon Voyage Albert.”
“Fashion’s essence is simple: to make the woman look beautiful and to make her fly.”