Remembering Fashion Designer Alber Elbaz (1961-2021)

Remembering Fashion Designer Alber Elbaz (1961-2021)

Alber Elbaz takes a bow at a 2015 Lanvin show in Paris. Back when attending Fashion Week in Paris was as exciting (the talent, the parties, the shopping) as it was irritating (the citizenry who obviously dislike each other even more than they dislike you), almost every editor and merchant had to hit particular Parisian touchstones, without which a visit would not be complete. Some quickly headed to Zimmerli to buy more of what may be the world's most comfortable T-shirt. Others bested a February chill with a cup of Angelina's dense, velvety hot chocolate. But there was one stop I coveted more than even these, and that was having a coffee, a drink, lunch, tea or anytime when I was able to sit across from and enjoy the company of Alber Elbaz. Despite his thousands-cheer talent and unlike many of his contemporaries, Alber“”who died today at 59 from Covid-19“”wasn't larger than life. Rather, he was exactly the way you wanted life to be“”radiating serenity, graced with wit, grounded in purpose, driven somewhere between passionately and impishly to celebrate beauty, eager to share delight, and always with an infallible sense of when it was time to go home. Alber Elbaz