ITALY: The fashion designer Egon von Fürstenberg, who ditched a banking career to make clothes that graced both city streets and the star-studded red carpet, died yesterday aged 57.
A nephew of the late Gianni Agnelli, whose family founded the Fiat car company, Mr von Fürstenberg was primed for a career in banking.
But when he went to work in New York in 1967, he fell in love with fashion and started studying style instead.
While he was working as a buyer for Macy's department stores, one of his suppliers suggested he design his own line for larger women in the United States.
He started his own company in 1977 and was a regular name at Rome's annual high fashion gala.
He leaves two children, Alex and Tatiana.
