{"id":20640,"date":"2021-04-26T15:55:58","date_gmt":"2021-04-26T05:55:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/?post_type=articles&p=192130"},"modified":"2021-04-26T12:56:15","modified_gmt":"2021-04-26T12:56:15","slug":"vale-alber-elbaz-a-tribute-to-fashions-original-romantic","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/vale-alber-elbaz-a-tribute-to-fashions-original-romantic\/","title":{"rendered":"Vale Alber Elbaz. A Tribute To Fashion’s Original Romantic"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Alber Elbaz greets the crowd during the Lanvin show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring\/Summer 2016 on October 1, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dominique Charriau\/WireImage)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alber Elbaz was a unicorn of the fashion world. He squandered the idea that the industry was brimming with spite and snobbery and posed an antithesis. He preached the fairy tale – that the tall poppy home of style, creators, and ethereal glamour was actually rich with collaboration, support, and unstoppable dreams.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we are one of the nicest industries in the world\u2026I can tell you that fashion – even though we always sound fake and affected and ignorant\u2026I have to tell you that in fashion I met a lot of great friends, good people.\u201d<\/p>\n

For this and so much more, he was cherished by his comrades. An enigmatic renegade that both reveled in fashion\u2019s splendor and vouched to improve its inclusivity.<\/p>\n

The news of his passing last night has sparked shock and sadness around the globe. The celebrated designer wielded a career serendipitously deserved. In particular, a famed 14 years as creative director of French fashion house, Lanvin. Unlike many others, Elbaz wore his heart on his superbly cuffed sleeve. He was known for his cheeky quips and romantic observations, his quotes often charmingly served in interviews and post shows. \u201cIf it\u2019s not edible, it\u2019s not food. If it\u2019s not wearable, it\u2019s not fashion.\u201d – for example.<\/p>\n

The Moroccan-born and Israeli-raised designer learned his craft under the precision of atelier Geoffrey Beene before taking up senior positions at Guy Laroche and Yves Saint Laurent. But it was his appointment at Lanvin in 2001 that distinguished his professional name. Credited with reigniting the then ailing brand, under his direction Lanvin became an It-label for high-fashion notables, well-dressed customers and the celebrity A-list. People like Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman, and Michelle Obama remained loyal to his exquisite, relaxed sophistication.<\/p>\n

Portman told TIME magazine in 2007 (when Elbaz was listed as part of their world\u2019s 100 most influential people) \u201cHe says things to me like: \u2018Wear flats. You\u2019re short. It\u2019s much cooler not to pretend.\u2019\u201d Elbaz designed with precision and talent but more so with earnestness, heart, and la arge dose of humor. He loved the female form and celebrating women was foremost in his design process.<\/p>\n

His shows at Lanvin became one of the most sought after tickets at fashion weeks and his collections rapturously received. He fused the label\u2019s historical sensual silhouette with his own vision, inviting moments of tactility and detail while introducing the practical.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor instance, dresses in the first collection, a lot of\u00a0people\u00a0said they were very romantic, I didn\u2019t see the romantic side of the dresses; I saw the easiness, the simplicity. I saw waking up in the morning and having your kids, and your husband and your mother on the phone, and your work calling you, that was before the SMS, like 10 years ago, now they do that as well. Women need something a little bit more easy in their wardrobe, instead of thinking every morning what goes with what, they just zip it in and at night zip it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

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PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 25: Illustration view of models at the end of the Lanvin show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring\/Summer 2015 on September 25, 2014 in Paris, France. (Photo by Rindoff\/Dufour\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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PARIS - OCTOBER 01: A model walks the runway at the Lanvin fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on October 1, 2010 in Paris City. (Photo by Chris Moore\/Catwalking\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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PARIS - OCTOBER 08: (UK OUT) A model walks down the catwalk during the Lanvin Fashion Show as part of Paris Fashion Week Spring\/Summer 2007 on October 8, 2006 in Paris, France. (Photo by Karl Prouse\/Catwalking\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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PARIS - MARCH 05: A model walks the runway at the Lanvin Ready to Wear show during Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Fall\/Winter 2011 at Halle Freyssinet on March 5, 2010 in Paris, France. (Photo by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho\/WireImage) *** Local Caption ***<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 30: A model walks the runway at the Lanvin Spring Summer 2012 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on September 30, 2011 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chris Moore\/Catwalking\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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PARIS - MARCH 05: A model walks the runway at the Lanvin Ready to Wear show during Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Fall\/Winter 2011 at Halle Freyssinet on March 5, 2010 in Paris, France. (Photo by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho\/WireImage) *** Local Caption ***<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n

In 2015, Elbaz was famously ousted from the label, after a rumored disagreement with its key investors. It was a dramatic end to what was still a furiously successful pairing. From then, Elbaz took five years away from the spotlight, telling journalists he needed \u201cto fall in love with fashion again.\u201d Then, last year he announced his next step – his own venture under parent company Richemont named AZ Factory<\/a>. The brand was to focus on seasonless classic design and size-inclusivity. Factors both close to Elbaz\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

But it wasn\u2019t just about the fashion. Elbaz conjured a joy that could never be designed. Beauty, and the desire to create a fashion dreamscape was at the core of his soul. He was friend to all, and the tributes have been testament.<\/p>\n

Valentino\u2019s Pierpaolo Piccioli posted \u201cWhen I moved my first step as creative director he welcomed me as no other did\u2026I will miss him but I will feel relief by admiring the legacy of his work.\u201d Stella McCartney said, \u201cHe was a light like no other in the world. In fashion, his immense talent shone so bright that it tore up the conventions and wrapped a million souls in happiness.\u201d And Dior\u2019s Maria Grazia Chiuri recalled \u201cHe was the first person who made me feel at home in the fashion industry. His favorite word was love and it\u2019s with this word I will always remember him.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was an interview some years ago where Elbaz talked about his love for hospitals, how he always like to stay close to one, given he was something of a hypochondriac. It was a warm, personal admission from someone who held such an esteemed position. One rarely got such raw expression from someone of his ilk. Then, last year, in an interview with Num\u00e9ro magazine, he iterated his health consciousness again. They discussed his global outlook, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. He lamented his fears, his short-term pessimism, but was resolute that in the long term things would turn for the best. The interview is hauntingly hard to read now.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s true that Elbaz will be remembered for his fine art fashion prowess, for his phenomenal knack for designing lusty, glamorous womenswear that made beauty and utility synchronistic, but he\u2019ll also be celebrated for his personal affect. At his shows, Elbaz was known for providing tailored treats like intricately wrapped, custom cookies; after shoots he\u2019d often gift the talent the couture (Kim Kardashian attested to this in her Instagram tribute today) and he offered advice and comfort to industry newcomers.<\/p>\n

This might be the most poignant part of his legacy – that niceness goes a long way, no matter what you\u2019re wearing.<\/p>\n

Elbaz, iconic in his oversized bowtie, and rounded specs will be sorely missed. Never forgotten.<\/p>\n

RIP.<\/p>\n

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PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH: Designer Alber Elbaz walks the runway at the Lanvin Ready to Wear Fall\/Winter 2010-2011 fashion show during the Paris Fashion Week in March, 2010 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE\/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"author":294,"featured_media":20641,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[17,16],"yoast_head":"\nRemembering Alber Elbaz. Tributes, Quotes And His Most Iconic Fashion<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Alber Elbaz was one of the most well-loved personalities in fashion. 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