French fashion designer Herve Leger, founder of the eponymous fashion house known for the ‘bandage’ dress that became popular among global jet setters in the 1990s, died on Friday from a ruptured aneurysm at the age of 60.
Born Herve L. Leroux, the designer was talented and self-taught. He initially worked as a hairdresser before moving on to hat making.
In 1981, a decisive moment occurred for him when he met Karl Lagerfeld, for whom he worked as an assistant at the fashion houses Chanel and Fendi.
In 1985, he founded the Herve Leger brand. At that time, he created the famous ‘bandage’ dress that flatters the female silhouette and brought him great fame and numerous fashion devotees. The dress was described as a series of ‘connected elastic bands that create a tight line.’
Despite his fashion house doing well, the designer continued to work as a freelancer for Lanvin and also designed for Swarovski. However, in 1999, the company BCBG Max Azria purchased his brand, and Leger lost the commercial rights to it.
Nevertheless, he continued to design dresses for well-known global jet setters, including Taylor Swift, Jessica Chastain, Miranda Kerr, Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth Hurley, and Dita Von Teese, a close friend of Leroux who bid farewell to him on social media with the words: ‘Enjoy glamorous peace.’
