Fashion world mourns as Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani passes away at the age of 66 - after a record-breaking 28 years at the helm of the iconic publication 

  • Franca Sozzani died after a year-long illness 
  • She passed away with her son Francesco Carrozzini, 34, reportedly by her side
  • Recently honoured with Swarovski Fashion Award For Positive Change
  • Tributes come from her close friend Anna Wintour and photographer Mert Alas

The 66-year-old editor of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani sadly passed away today after battling a year-long illness, leaving a lasting legacy behind her.

Dedicated to making some of the most fascinating, boundary-pushing fashion spreads in Vogue history, Sozzani spent a record-breaking 28 years at the helm of the Italian fashion bible. 

Franca's only son, Francesco Carrozzini, 34, was reportedly by her side in Milan when she passed away.

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Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani, 66, sadly passed away after battling a year-long illness

Franca reportedly passed away with her son Franceso Carrozzini by her side. (Pictured) Attending the premiere of 'Franca: Chaos And Creation' during the 73rd Venice Film Festival in September

Her illustrious career began with Vogue Bambini in 1976 after graduating in literature and philosophy at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan.

She was appointed editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia in 1988, around the same time as Anna Wintour was appointed editor of US Vogue.

The American editor paid tribute to their three-decade long friendship in a touching tribute, revealing that the two didn't immediately become 'BFFs'.

'Franca and I found ourselves falling into a friendship that I am so happy and honoured to say sustained itself for 30 years,' she says today on Vogue's website.

Editor-In-Chief of Vogue Anna Wintour (left) paid tribute to her close friend after her death. Franca is pictured with fashion designer Vera Wang (second left) and her son director and photographer Francesco Carrozzini

'That’s one thing that Franca taught me about friendship: Sometimes, you really have to earn it.'

The Italian editor was known for pushing boundaries and was not opposed to controversy - finding herself at the centre of several such storms.

The magazine was accused of glamorising domestic violence in 2014 with a horror film-inspired shoot, used a white model for a 'tribal' spread and also was critiqued for shoots with models including Stella Tennant and Karlie Kloss looking skinny.   

Franca was known for pushing boundaries and creating controversies within the fashion industry

 

Many of Franca's longtime collaborators and friends paid tribute to her, including designer Marc Jacobs, photographer Mert Alas, New York Times fashion director Vanessa Friedman and fashion critic Cathy Horyn

Another memorable issues of the magazine under her helm included 'The Black Issue' in 2008 - focusing solely on celebrating black women's beauty.

Another significant issue Franca was known for was 2010's 'Makeover' an entire edition dedicated to the continuously growing phenomenon of plastic surgery.

She was most recently honoured by the British Fashion Awards this year, who gave the editor the Swarovski Fashion Award For Positive Change.

Some of her longtime collaborators paid tribute to her legacy, with famed photographer Mert Alas posting an image of her smiling face along with a caption which read: 'I'm so sad and speechless for the loss of this wonderful women[sic]. Bye bye Franca I will miss you.'

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