Italian Vogue editor Franca Sozzani who mingled with galaxy of stars including Madonna, Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss dies aged 66 after year-long illness
Madonna, Naomi Campbell and Kanye West lead tributes to legendary fashion editor
MADONNA, Victoria Beckham and Kanye West are among stars who have paid tribute to Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani, who has died at the age of 66.
She ran the influential magazine for 28 years and rubbed well-dressed shoulders with A-list Hollywood actors and fashion icons such as Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.
Madonna posted a photo of the editor on Instagram with the caption: "R.I.P. Franca Sozzani!! A trail blazer and a True Rebel!
"You are loved and adored by so many! We will miss you. Respect and admiration!!"
King Kong actress Naomi Watts posted a snap of herself with Sozzani, with the caption "Another legend lost" and a broken heart symbol.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell called Sozzani "My angel" and praised the editor's "courage" for featuring black models on the cover.
She added: "You took the world on and conquered all you set out to do in the most regal way. Lay in peace my Angel, your journey has just begun. I love you, Naomi."
Victoria Beckham also shared a picture of herself with Sozzani on Instagram.
She wrote: "I had the privilege of spending time with Franca over the years. Not enough time as it now so sadly transpires.
"Whenever I was with her I was mesmerised by her strength of character, her charitable work, her creative vision. She encouraged me and inspired me whenever we spoke. What a legacy she leaves behind. RIP@francasozzani1".
Kanye West, who only recently returned to Twitter following a spell in hospital, wrote: "Franca Sozzani was always so nice and sincere. You will be deeply missed."
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Model and TV presenter Tyra Banks also paid tribute, saying: "Farewell to my high fashion mama...@francasozzani, u embraced us all w/the warmest heart. I respect & admire u forever."
And Victoria's Secret model Maria Borges wrote: "The world has lost a legend, today. Thank you for everything you've done for the people of colour, Franca Sozzani. Rest In Peace."
Publisher Conde Nast International confirmed Sozzani died yesterday after a year-long illness, with her filmmaker son Francesco Carrozzini by her side.
The online version of Vogue Italia remembered Sozzani with a simple red heart next to her name, and today the website featured a page of her best known quotes, including: "You can never be overdressed or overeducated."
Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia in 1988, became known for publishing cutting-edge and sometimes controversial photoshoots including one based on women having plastic surgery.
She famously produced an all-black edition of the magazine in 2008, with only black models featured. It was such a hit it was reprinted three times.
Three years later she ran an issue featuring only plus-size models.
Sozzani was also one of the first to embrace the rise of reality stars and in 2012 put Kim Kardashian on the cover of L'Uomo Vogue, another title she edited, two years before American Vogue did the same.
US Vogue editor Anna Wintour published a lengthy tribute to her counterpart today.
She write: "In private, Franca was warm, clever, funny, and someone who could give the Sphinx a run for its money when it comes to keeping a confidence.
"She was also the hardest-working person I have known, and with an envy-inducing ease with multitasking.
"She made everything she worked on appear effortless, regardless of whether it was an event for several hundred; a whirlwind trip to Africa to support the continent's emerging designers; or the creation of yet another newsworthy, provocative, and utterly spellbinding issue of Italian Vogue."
Designer Marc Jacobs also tweeted: "RIP #FrancaSozzani. Her incredible contribution to fashion will be missed."
Rapper A$AP Rocky wrote: "Fashion lost a legend today, love to my brother Francesco and his family, I hope my words can make a slight difference, RIP Franca Sozzani."
Conde Naste chairman Jonathan Newhouse said: "Franca was one of the greatest editors who ever made a magazine.
"She made Italian Vogue a powerful and influential voice in the worlds of fashion and photography by publishing groundbreaking photography and journalism."
Despite being on oxygen, Sozzani made an appearance earlier this month in London at the Fashion Awards where designer Tom Ford presented her with an award for positive change.
Her final Instagram is a post of her, Wintour and designer Karl Lagerfeld at the Chanel show in Paris the same week.
Back home in Milan, she was easy to spot in the fashion crowd with her wavy blonde locks and bright smile.
She also had a big social media presence, running a blog on Vogue Italy's website as well as an active Twitter feed that went silent in June.
Once asked to define style, she replied, "Today there is not just one. I think people should buy more mirrors than clothes, to see themselves before going out.
"But I think that clothes need to correspond to one's own personality. That is style."
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