In memoriam

Design / 26 Jan 2019

In memoriam: Florence Knoll Bassett 1917-2019

Florence Knoll Bassett, the female pioneer of midcentury modern American design, has died aged 101. She passed away on 25 January in Coral Gables, Florida. The creative force behind one of the most influential design brands of the 20th century...

Design / 10 Sep 2018

In memoriam: Ruth Aram (1966 - 2018)

Ruth Aram, director of Aram Store, who died of cancer last week aged 52 was a wonderful role model for everyone in the design world. A qualified architect, she was destined from a young age to step into her father...

Travel / 29 Aug 2018

Remembering the work and impact of architect Kerry Hill, who has passed away aged 75

If the essentially modern buildings designed by the Australian architect Kerry Hill, who died on 26 August aged 75, share a defining characteristic, it is surely the sensitivity they show to their surroundings. Take Aman Tokyo, Aman Resorts’ first uncompromisingly...

Art / 22 May 2018

In memoriam: Robert Indiana (1928-2018)

Robert Indiana, early progenetor of pop art, has died aged 89 in his secluded Maine home. His most famous work, LOVE (1965) is a paradoxical one. At once, it spotlighted his career and eclipsed it, erstwhile lending the artist the...

Architecture / 13 May 2018

In memoriam: Will Alsop (1947-2018)

The British architect Will Alsop has died aged 70 after a short illness. The co-founder of aLL Design, who was born on December 12, 1947, in Northampton, passed away in hospital on Saturday 12th May. ‘Will has inspired generations and impacted...

Fashion / 26 Apr 2018

Jony Ive remembers Azzedine Alaïa

With his inquisitive spirit and passion for hospitality, the late Azzedine Alaïa built enduring friendships with creatives near and far. Among the luminaries who happily fell into his orbit is Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive, who was introduced to...

Fashion / 12 Mar 2018

In memoriam: the cinematic life of fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy (1927-2018)

Hubert de Givenchy has passed away at the age of 91. The French fashion designer founded his eponymous label in 1952. He was renowned for dressing an international esteemed elite, including Lauren Bacall, Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and...

Fashion / 20 Feb 2018

In memoriam: the life and influence of Judy Blame (1960-2018)

Judy Blame has passed away at the age of 58. Born in 1960 in Leatherhead, Surrey, he ran away to London at 17, ushering in a new era of styling. He was a man of many fabulous hats: accessories designer, fashion...

Art / 22 Jan 2018

Art furniture pioneer Wendell Castle dies aged 85

Art furniture pioneer Wendell Castle has died aged 85, after a battle with leukaemia. RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) – where Castle was an artist-in-residence and taught from 1962 to 1969 – announced that the much celebrated American craftsman, designer...

Fashion / 8 Sep 2017

Farewell to Pierre Bergé (1930-2017), a tour de force in French fashion and culture

Pierre Bergé, the co-founder of French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent, patron of the arts and passionate AIDS campaigner, has died at the age of 86. Bergé passed away this morning at his home in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence after a long illness...

Watches & Jewellery / 22 Feb 2017

From the vault: in memory of Walter Lange 1924-2017

In January this year, the death of Walter Lange, aged 92, put the unique link between Germany’s most prestigious watch manufacturer and its pre-Communist era watchmaking back in the spotlight. Today, the eponymous A Lange & Söhne, regarded as the...

Design / 12 Dec 2016

Meet and seat: pulling up a chair with mid-century modern master Jens Risom

Last week, designer Jens Risom passed away at his home in Connecticut, seven months after celebrating his 100th birthday. To bid farewell to this dearly departed design hero and mark the Danish-American’s centenary – a significant landmark in anyone’s book...

We pay tribute to design and architecture’s dearly departed heroes