French designer Christian Audigier, the man behind the successful fashion empires Ed Hardy and Von Dutch, has unfortunately passed away.
According LATF, the designer died yesterday, July 9th. A source revealed to the site Audigier was re-admitted to Cedars-Sinai Hospital and had slipped into a coma before recently waking up.
In April, it was reported the designer was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a form of cancer that is the result of a group of diverse bone marrow disorders in which the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells.
The French designer revealed he was diagnosed with MDS to TMZ. During the exclusive interview Audigier said he was on chemotherapy until he received a bone marrow transplant scheduled for March 19th. Following the bone marrow transplant, Audigier told the site the procedure was successful and he was doing much better. The designer continued to attend routine checkups 2 to 3x a week at Cedars-Sinai Hospital.
Audigier began working in the fashion industry at the tender age of 14. He is most known for collaborating with Kenneth Howard, the owner of Von Dutch, and renowned tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy. With his long list of celebrity clientele, Audigier made both brands a household name. Celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Ashton Kutcher, Britney Spears and more frequently sported the fashion lines. In addition, Audigier also worked Guess, Levi’s, Diesel, American Outfitters, Bisou Bisou and XOXO.
Other ventures the fashion designer has been linked to was a nightclub within the hotel Treasure Island in Las Vegas as well as a denim line named after his daughter.
The 57-year-old designer was diagnosed with the disease back in January. MDS is the same disease “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts suffered from in 2012 and 2013.
Audigier is survived by his three children, two sons and one daughter, according to Mirror. He leaves behind an estimated fortune of $250 million.
Audigier’s longtime publicist, Michele Elyzabeth told LAFT, “I just heard the news and I am truly devastated. Christian was an incredibly brilliant man. He will be missed.”
Photo via Instagram
