The former artistic director of Lanvin, Alber Elbaz, died<

The fashion designer with the eternal bow tie that had awakened the Lanvin house is no longer.Alber Elbaz, 59, died on Saturday April 24.

"It was in shock and with great sadness that I learned of the sudden death of Alber (...) He was a man of exceptional and very talented warmth, and his singular vision, his sense of beauty and empathy will leave an indelible mark, "praised Johann Rupert, head of the Swiss Swiss groupRichemont in a press release.

Alber Elbaz marked the fashion world by its small dresses, prized with actresses like Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett and Sienna Miller.

Macron salutes a man who has "forged the legend of French elegance"

"Anyone who is lucky enough to have worked with this incredible man knows that he was one of the most creative and funny men in the industry, a real pioneer," reacted on Instagram Edward Enninful, editor in editorhead of the 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 Kering group (Gucci,Yves Saint Laurent).

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

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

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

At Lanvin's head for 14 years

Born in Morocco, Alber Elbaz (born Albert) began his career with American creator Geoffrey Beene in New York before being hired by Guy Laroche.He then took the difficult succession of Yves Saint-Laurent for the ready-to-wear line of the French designer in 1998 before joining Lanvin in 2001.

At its head for 14 years, the Israeli-American managed the tour de force to replace the oldest French fashion house, founded by Jeanne Lanvin in 1889, to the firmament of the fashion planet.

He claims 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 husbands who give them a check to buy a dress.They also do not depend on a stylist (...) A garment must accompany them.They want to move with it, to live with.The movement is essential for me, it is life, "he said during 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 find it difficult to recover.In the following years, he was discreet, producing some collaborations here and there.He notably signed one for Tod's relating to bags and shoes and another with Converse.

At the end of 2019, he joined forces with Swiss Richemont to launch his own claw "Az Factory", which he wants "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 have experiences and try new ideas, "he said.

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

With AFP