Surprised that this was not noted here:
Egon von Furstenberg, 'Prince of High Fashion,' Dies at 57
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 12, 2004
Associated Press, 2003
Egon von Furstenberg
TIMES NEWS TRACKER
Deaths (Obituaries)
ROME, June 11 (AP) — Egon von Furstenberg, a Swiss-born aristocrat who started his fashion career as a buyer for a New York department store and went on to be known as the "prince of high fashion," died here on Friday. He was 57.
His fashion house said he had died in a hospital in Rome but declined to give the cause of death. A brief company statement spoke of the "premature death of our dear and most beloved Egon."
He was considered both eccentric and elegant. During Rome's High Fashion week, a glittering event that draws stars like Sophia Loren, his designs were worn by models whose "runway" was the Spanish Steps.
His creations included gowns or shorter dresses in bright hues like purples, yellows or reds, often with plunging necklines, slits or daring rear views. His signature symbol spoke of his noble blood and love for high society — a curvy crown with a star.
Mr. von Furstenberg seemed destined for a career in banking, but he decided to follow his love of fashion, and some of his friends from high society eventually became his clients.
He was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, the descendant of a noble German family on his father's side. His mother, Clara, was the sister of Giovanni Agnelli, who until his death last year was head of Fiat.
Mr. von Furstenberg married the Belgian-born fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg in 1969, but they divorced soon after their son, Alexandre, and daughter, Tatiana, were born. Diane von Furstenberg married the media executive Barry Diller in 2001.
Mr. von Furstenberg's start in the clothing business was unglamorous: He was a buyer for Macy's, the sprawling New York department store. Early in his career, he designed clothes for women wearing large sizes and in 1975 came out with a line of pullovers and men's shirts.
"He cut an extremely elegant figure and brought an Old World feeling to the made-in-Italy label," the designer Laura Biagiotti said. "He must have loved fashion because he certainly didn't need to work."
He also put out a ready-to-wear line. But he was best known for his high fashion collections, especially his concentration on color and a romantic look.
von FURSTENBERG--Egon, On June 11 at the age of 58 surrounded by his family in Rome, Italy. Diane, Alexandre, Tatiana and Lynn mourn the loss of their husband, father, friend and loved one. Egon, an Italian Fashion Designer will be remembered always as the loving free-spirited generous and happy man who lived his life to the fullest and was truly a shining light in the world. Services will be held on Saturday, June 12, at 3PM at the Church Piazza del Poplo (The Church of the Artist) in Rome, Italy. Egon will be buried in Strobl, Austria on Monday, June 14 at 3PM.
Egon von Furstenberg, 'Prince of High Fashion,' Dies at 57
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 12, 2004
Associated Press, 2003
Egon von Furstenberg
TIMES NEWS TRACKER
Deaths (Obituaries)
ROME, June 11 (AP) — Egon von Furstenberg, a Swiss-born aristocrat who started his fashion career as a buyer for a New York department store and went on to be known as the "prince of high fashion," died here on Friday. He was 57.
His fashion house said he had died in a hospital in Rome but declined to give the cause of death. A brief company statement spoke of the "premature death of our dear and most beloved Egon."
He was considered both eccentric and elegant. During Rome's High Fashion week, a glittering event that draws stars like Sophia Loren, his designs were worn by models whose "runway" was the Spanish Steps.
His creations included gowns or shorter dresses in bright hues like purples, yellows or reds, often with plunging necklines, slits or daring rear views. His signature symbol spoke of his noble blood and love for high society — a curvy crown with a star.
Mr. von Furstenberg seemed destined for a career in banking, but he decided to follow his love of fashion, and some of his friends from high society eventually became his clients.
He was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, the descendant of a noble German family on his father's side. His mother, Clara, was the sister of Giovanni Agnelli, who until his death last year was head of Fiat.
Mr. von Furstenberg married the Belgian-born fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg in 1969, but they divorced soon after their son, Alexandre, and daughter, Tatiana, were born. Diane von Furstenberg married the media executive Barry Diller in 2001.
Mr. von Furstenberg's start in the clothing business was unglamorous: He was a buyer for Macy's, the sprawling New York department store. Early in his career, he designed clothes for women wearing large sizes and in 1975 came out with a line of pullovers and men's shirts.
"He cut an extremely elegant figure and brought an Old World feeling to the made-in-Italy label," the designer Laura Biagiotti said. "He must have loved fashion because he certainly didn't need to work."
He also put out a ready-to-wear line. But he was best known for his high fashion collections, especially his concentration on color and a romantic look.
von FURSTENBERG--Egon, On June 11 at the age of 58 surrounded by his family in Rome, Italy. Diane, Alexandre, Tatiana and Lynn mourn the loss of their husband, father, friend and loved one. Egon, an Italian Fashion Designer will be remembered always as the loving free-spirited generous and happy man who lived his life to the fullest and was truly a shining light in the world. Services will be held on Saturday, June 12, at 3PM at the Church Piazza del Poplo (The Church of the Artist) in Rome, Italy. Egon will be buried in Strobl, Austria on Monday, June 14 at 3PM.
