On the morning of the 23rd of December I woke up with this very sad news. Franca Sozzani was gone.
From the fashion world, we have a lot to thank her for her amazing contribution. From Dubai, we have also a debt with her. The Vogue Italia events held every year to catapult talent and give them visibility was something the sector was needing desperately. Having the support of Vogue Italia gave the entire proposition the credibility and exposure required.
Those events also included interviews to top fashion personalities like Philipp Plein, Silvia Venturini Fendi, Christian Louboutin, Peter Dundas, Miroslava Duma, Alberta Ferreti and many more. They all came to Dubai to share their stories and meet followers and press.
FLORENCE, ITALY – JUNE 16: Vogue Director Franca Sozzani attends the Mini Gentleman’s Collection on June 16, 2015. (Photo by Laura Lezza/Getty Images)All her life Franca broke the rules once and again. Not only she wrote about stuff that was politically incorrect, she defied the aesthetics. Something not easy to do in fashion. She would speak openly about plastic surgery, black models in the industry, etc.. Not sure why Conde Nast decided to let her do her thing. At the end, she followed her instinct trusting certain type of talent that was at that time misunderstood. It seemed crazy but it was a total success. Those people (Bruce Weber, Peter Lindbergh, Paolo Roversi or Steven Meisel) helped raise the bar and created a new atmosphere within the glossies. More controversial, more free, off-limits, more artistic, not commercial …
Fashion enthusiasts, photographers and photography lovers love Vogue Italia because of the avant-garde, nothing-is-written-in-stone attitude whether in text or in images. Vogue Italia and Vogue US have in common their love for fashion but their way to express it is way too different. Franca Sozzani and Ana Wintour are two faces, two opinions, one more conservative, the other more rebellious. Both always great. I like disparity. I feel it makes us grow.
FRANCA SOZZANI, YOU WILL BE MISSED.
Franca Sozzani was only 66 years old. I didn’t know she was sick. Last time I saw her, she looked great with her long hippie hair and her unique style dressing. Suddenly, this piece of news and so close to Christmas. I can only imagine what a terrible hit this loss must be for all her family and friends.
Her only son Francesco Carrozzini, photographer and filmmaker, did a documentary recently on his mother. The film “Franca: Chaos and Creation” premiered in 2016. An intimate documentary that shows a strong woman, determined and brave but also fragile at times.
We will miss you dearly Franca. Your legacy and what we have learned from you will stay forever with us.
Rest in peace cara.
