The respected designer who was Lanvin’s creative director between 2001 to 2015, died in a Paris hospital on Saturday.

Elbaz’s death was confirmed in a statement by Johann Rupert, the owner of Swiss luxury brand Compagnie Financière Richemont, whom Elbaz worked with at AZ Factory.

It read: “It was with shock and enormous sadness that I heard of Alber’s sudden passing. Alber had a richly deserved reputation as one of the industry’s brightest and most beloved figures.

“I was always taken by his intelligence, sensitivity, generosity and unbridled creativity. He was a man of exceptional warmth and talent and his singular vision, sense of beauty and empathy leave an indelible impression.

“It was a great privilege watching Alber in his last endeavour as he worked to realise his dreams of ‘smart fashion that cares.’ His inclusive vision of fashion made women feel beautiful and comfortable by blending traditional craftsmanship with technology - highly innovative projects which ought to redefine the industry.”

He said that Elbaz would be “greatly missed” by everyone who knew him and offered condolences to all of his family and friends.

“On a personal note, I would like to add that I have lost not only a colleague but a beloved friend,” he added.

Elbaz’s cause of death has not been confirmed.

The acclaimed fashion designer was born in Casablanca, Morocco, to a Jewish family and was later raised in Israel after they moved to Israel when he was 10.

After serving in the Israeli Defense Forces, Elbaz moved to New York in the 1980s where he started to work in a dressmaker’s shop.

He then moved to Geoffrey Beene where he continued to develop his fashion design style. Elbaz then worked with several other brands before being taken on as creative director for Lanvin in 2001.

The brand is widely considered to have been rejuvenated after Elbaz moved the brand away from being dependent on men’s wear to having a women’s first ethos.

Lanvin dresses would go on to be worn by top stars, including Natalie Portman, Meryl Streep and Kim Kardashian.

The fashion designer went on to win several awards for his work with Lanvin, including the International Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2005.

Two years later, he would go on to be named as one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.