Franca Sozzani, Vogue Italia Editor Dies At 66

Franca Sozzani B Franca Sozzani, Vogue Italia Editor Dies At 66

Franca Sozzani, 1950-2016. Image: viff.org

Franca Sozzani, who has been leading the Vogue Italia magazine for 28 years as the editor-in-chief, died Thursday at the age of 66 following a year-long illness.

Vogue Italia All Black Issue Franca Sozzani, Vogue Italia Editor Dies At 66

The Vogue Italia “All Black” issue in 2008 featuring supermodel Naomi Campbell. Image: jezebel.com

Vogue Italia Curvy Issue Franca Sozzani, Vogue Italia Editor Dies At 66

The Vogue Italia “Curvy” issue in 2011 featuring a gallery of plus-size models. Image: huffingtonpost.com

Born in Mantova, Italy in 1950, Sozzani is no stranger to controversy during her longtime tenure in the Vogue Italia magazine. Back in July 2008, she released the landmark “All Black” issue at the time when Americans were on the verge of electing their first black president, Barack Obama. Apart from touching on the issues of racism, she did not shy away from other polarising subjects such as plastic surgery and plus-size models.

Prior to her death, a documentary film about her life directed by her son Francesco Carrozzini titled Franca: Chaos and Creation was premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Then, earlier this month, Sozzani was recently honoured with the Swarovski Award for Positive Change at the BFC’s Fashion Awards 2016.

Franca was one of the greatest editors who ever made a magazine”, said Jonathan Newhouse, chairman and chief executive of Condé Nast upon writing an open letter published on the Vogue Italia website. “She was by far the most talented, influential and important person within the Condé Nast International organisation.”