Renowned fashion designer Emanuel Ungaro sadly passed away at the age of 86 in Paris, as announced by his family to AFP. With a French-Italian background, Ungaro moved to Paris in 1956 to learn under the guidance of the legendary Cristobal Balenciaga. After nine years of honing his craft, he launched his own fashion house and quickly became known for his vibrant and colorful style that captivated the fashion world. One of his famous quotes, “One should not wear a dress, one should live in it,” exemplifies his deep-seated passion and commitment to his artistry.
As the second of six children born to a tailor father, Ungaro always attributed his family and training at Balenciaga for instilling in him the fundamentals of fashion. In 1965, he established his eponymous label in Paris, focusing on creating designs that exuded sensuality. Over the years, he dressed numerous celebrities such as Gena Rowlands, Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Adjani, and Anouk Aimee, earning praise for his distinctive style marked by bold colors, intricate prints, and elegant draping techniques.
Expanding his brand to encompass ready-to-wear collections for both women and men, in addition to perfumes, footwear, and designer eyewear, Ungaro’s influence continued to grow. In 1996, the Ferragamo family acquired his fashion house. Despite stepping back from the fashion scene in 2001, he continued to release collections before ultimately retiring in 2004, feeling that haute couture no longer aligned with the evolving expectations of modern women. However, Emanuel Ungaro’s enduring legacy endures through his iconic designs and innovative approach to fashion, which remains a source of inspiration for designers worldwide.
To learn more about Emanuel Ungaro’s impact on the fashion industry, you can visit Vogue’s tribute to Emanuel Ungaro or explore his groundbreaking designs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
