Fashion Designers who died too young - What might have been

 

The fashion world lost a beloved designer this year - L'Wren Scott.  

 

I wrote a blog post a couple of days after her death was announced and felt so sad that we would never be able to see what could have been.  The life she might have lived, the clothing she might have envisioned and given to the world.

 

 

"Women of every age and size really just want to look sexy, while retaining their power and dignity."    L'Wren Scott

I've been thinking a lot about all of the fashion designers who died much too young and what might have been if life had given them more time.  

 

 

Ossie Clark, the 60's and 70's iconic British fashion designer was stabbed to death at age 54.

 

"Comfort,That is the most important thing". Ossie Clark

 

 

One of the victims of the tragic AIDS epidemic of the 1980's, Coty award winning designer Perry Ellis died at age 46.

 

“I think fashion dies when it is taken too seriously.” —Perry Ellis 

 

 

Gianni Versace was brutally shot dead on 15 July 1997, at the age of 50.

 

"I really want to make clothes that are feminine and help women look beautiful." Gianni Versace

 

 

The talented Patrick Kelly, who I also wrote about on my blog, was another senseless victim of AIDS at the young age of 35.

 

 

“I want my clothes to make you smile" Patrick Kelly

 

The successful designer Willi Smith died at the age of 39 from complications from AIDS.

 

"I don't design clothes for the Queen, but for the people who wave at her as she goes by."    Willi Smith

 

The incomparable Roy Halston Frowick , known as Halston to the fashion world, died on March 26, 1990 after a long battle with AIDS. He was 57 years old.

 

"You are only as good as the people you dress."
Roy Halston

 

 

 

 

Stephen Sprouse died of heart failure at the age of 50.

"Maybe if they all could he combined - art, rock and fashion. Those were always my favorite things."
Stephen Sprouse

 

 

The brilliant Alexander McQueen died of suicide at the age of 40.

 

"I want to empower women. I want people to be afraid of the women I dress."
Alexander McQueen

This list is only a small sample of the fashion talent that was cut short before we could see what might have been. Though these 9 fashion designers died younger than expected, their incredible legacies will hopefully be appreciated and honored for generations to come. As long as we remember them, we will be playing an integral part in preserving their well deserved places in fashion history.

RIP.

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