On this day, fashion world experienced a great loss. Editor of Italian Vogue, Franca Sozzani died today at the age of 66 in Milan after a year-long illness.
Jonathan Newhouse, wrote in a post on the magazine’s website, which he describes as the saddest news he has ever had to report by describing her with this words: “Franca was one of the greatest editors who ever made a magazine. She was by far the most talented, influential and important person within the Condé Nast International organisation. She made Italian Vogue a powerful and influential voice in the worlds of fashion and photography by publishing ground-breaking photography and journalism. In doing so she expanded Vogue beyond what had been the traditional model of a fashion magazine and often courted controversy by doing so.”
Sozzani, whose career began at Vogue Bambini in 1976, has led the Italian edition of the fashion bible for over 28 years now, and is adored by journalists, designers and photographers alike thanks to her generosity of spirit and championing of new talents. She is credited with helping to create the phenomenon of the ‘supermodels’ in the 1990’s, immortalising models on her covers and pushing photographers like Steven Meisel, Bruce Weber and Peter Lindbergh to create their most arresting images.
“Fashion is not only about a piece of fabric, If you think about all the [fashion] movements we have had in the years, they came from a situation that’s social, economical and political. So why should we not reflect our time? ”
A fashion character in the truest sense, her sense of personal style was also celebrated internationally. Mastering the art of polished, businesswoman dressing, but always with a hint of fashion fun, her looks captured the imagination of bloggers and street style photographers, turning her into an Instagram star in her sixties.
Sozzani, who grew up in Mantua, northern Italy, leaves behind one son, the Emmy-nominated director Francesco Carrozzini, who was at her side when she passed away.
Wintour also discloses that, during her last few public engagements before she passed away, including receiving the Swarovski Award for Positive Change at the Fashion Awards in London earlier this month, Franca was “on oxygen”, but was determined to support her colleagues and designer friends despite her ill health.
“She never stopped pushing contributors and the people around her to do more and better,” continued Newhouse in his post this afternoon. “As a human being she was honest, funny, warm and possessed a sense of irony and humility… I loved and admired her, and I will miss her terribly. The fashion world is in mourning.”
Franca you will be gratefully missed! RIP!
xx,MM
