A Look Back At Editor-In-Chief of Italian Vogue, Franca Sozzani's, Iconic Style
She died Thursday at age 66 after battling an illness.
Jamie Feldman— Fashion & Lifestyle Editor, The Huffington Post
Franca Sozzani, the longtime editor-in-chief of Italian Vogue, died Thursday at age 66 after battling an illness.
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Beloved by the industry and fashion enthusiasts alike, Sozanni was forward-thinking and passionate, catapulting Vogue Italia into the global spotlight with powerful imagery from the day she took the reigns as editor-in-chief in 1998. Her iconic and important magazine world moments include releasing a famous "black issue" in 2008, marking the first time a major glossy exclusively featured models of color.
As Hamish Bowles wrote on Thursday, Sozzani "turned her Vogue into a magazine that not only celebrated the power of the image, but also used fashion stories as a platform to discuss broader issues, and the obsessions of the fashionable world. Franca had a passion for, and a deep knowledge of, fashion and its history, but an ability to keep an amused distance from its modern day excesses."
Beyond her admirable career, Sozanni was known for the impeccable personal style she displayed on many a red carpet and at various events through the years.
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Here, in remembrance, a peek back at some of her most iconic looks:
Editor-In-Chief of Italian Vogue Franca Sozzani (L) and director Francesco Carrozzini attend the 'Franca: Chaos And Creation' New York Screening at Metrograph on October 13, 2016 in New York City. –MONICA SCHIPPER VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani attends Convivio 2016 photocall on June 7, 2016 in Milan, Italy. –VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends the Christian Dior show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2017 on September 30, 2016 in Paris, France. –JACOPO RAULE VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani and Valentino Garavani attend the 'Franca: Chaos And Creation' Premiere - 73rd Venice Film Festival during the 73rd Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Casino on September 2, 2016 in Venice, Italy. –CAMILLA MORANDI - CORBIS VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani attends Miu Miu Women's Tales Dinner during the 73rd Venice Film Festival at Ca' Corner della Regina on September 1, 2016 in Venice, Italy. –VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends the Gala event during the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience 2015 at Armani Hotel Dubai on October 30, 2015 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. –LUCA V. TEUCHMANN VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends the Giamba show during the Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 on September 25, 2015 in Milan, Italy. –JACOPO RAULE VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani attends the opening ceremony and premiere of 'Everest' during the 72nd Venice Film Festival on September 2, 2015 in Venice, Italy. –VENTURELLI VIA GETTY IMAGES
ROME, ITALY - MAY 22: Franca Sozzani attends the 'La Traviata' Premiere at Teatro Dell'Opera on May 22, 2016 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images) –ERNESTO RUSCIO VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends the 'Being The Protagonist' Party hosted By L'Uomo Vogue during the 72nd Venice Film Festival at San Clemente Palace Hotel on September 5, 2015 in Venice, Italy. –JACOPO RAULE VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani attends the Valentino 'Mirabilia Romae' haute couture collection fall/winter 2015 2016 at Piazza Mignanelli on July 9, 2015 in Rome, Italy. –ELISABETTA VILLA VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends Coulture/Sculpture Vernissage Cocktail honoring Azzedine Alaia in the history of fashion at Galleria Borghese at Galleria Borghese on July 10, 2015 in Rome, Italy. –ERNESTO RUSCIO VIA GETTY IMAGES
US singer Lana Del Rey, her partner Francesco Carrozzini and Italian journalist Franca Sozzani leave the Hotel Des Iles Borromees for the religious wedding ceremony of Pierre Casiraghi, Prince Albert II of Monaco's nephew, with Beatrice Borromeo on August 1, 2015, in Stresa, on the Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. Casiraghi and Borromeo had their civil wedding in Monaco on July 25. –GIUSEPPE CACACE VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani attends the Miu Club launch of the first Miu Miu fragrance and croisiere 2016 collection at Palais d'Iena on July 4, 2015 in Paris, France. –PIERRE SUU VIA GETTY IMAGES
Editor-in-Chief of Italian Vogue, Franca Sozzani (L) and actress Valeria Golino pose on the winners walk at the 2015 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on June 1, 2015 in New York City. –LARRY BUSACCA VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends the Versace show during the Milan Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2015 on February 27, 2015 in Milan, Italy. –JACOPO RAULE VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani attends the Giorgio Armani 40th Anniversary Silos Opening And Cocktail Reception on April 30, 2015 in Milan, Italy. –JACOPO RAULE VIA GETTY IMAGES
Vogue Director Franca Sozzani attends the Pitti Uomo 88 at Fortezza da Basso on June 16, 2015 in Florence, Italy. –LAURA LEZZA VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends the Fondazione Prada Opening on May 3, 2015 in Milan, Italy. –VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani attends the MAXXI Gala Dinner photocall at Maxxi Museum on November 29, 2014 in Rome, Italy. –ERNESTO RUSCIO VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends the 'Fondazione IEO - CCM' Christmas Dinner For on December 16, 2014 in Monza, Italy. –VINCENZO LOMBARDO VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends the Valentino Sala Bianca 945 Event on December 10, 2014 in New York City. –D DIPASUPIL VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani arrives at Emporio Armani Fashion Show during Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2015 on September 18, 2014 in Milan, Italy. –JACOPO RAULE VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani arrives at the Elie Saab show during Paris Fashion Week, Womenswear SS 2015 on September 29, 2014 in Paris, France. –JACOPO RAULE VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends the Opening Ceremony and 'Birdman' premiere during the 71st Venice Film Festival at Palazzo Del Cinema on August 27, 2014 in Venice, Italy. –VENTURELLI VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani (R) and son Francesco Carrozzini attend the amfAR Inspiration Gala New York 2014 at The Plaza Hotel on June 10, 2014 in New York City. –GILBERT CARRASQUILLO VIA GETTY IMAGES
Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani and Ciara attends the Gala Event during the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience on October 31, 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. –JOHN PHILLIPS VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends a gala dinner and auction to celebate the end of the Cash & Rocket tour at Natural History Museum on June 8, 2014 in London, England. –KARWAI TANG VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani and Karl Lagerfeld arrived at the 'Vogue Italia 50th Anniversary' at Piazza Castello on September 21, 2014 in Milan, Italy. –ERNESTO RUSCIO VIA GETTY IMAGES
Editor in Chief of Vogue Italia and L'Uomo Vogue Franca Sozzani poses at a press conference to launch World Wide Wool and L'Umomo Vogue in partnership with Woolmark Company at Sydney Town Hal on March 26, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. –DON ARNOLD VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends The Children For Peace Benefit Gala at Spazio 900 on November 30, 2013 in Rome, Italy. –ERNESTO RUSCIO VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani attends the catwalk show during the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience at Dubai Mall on October 10, 2013 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. –SAMIR HUSSEIN VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends the Gucci show during Milan Menswear Fashion Week Spring Summer 2014 show on June 24, 2013 in Milan, Italy. –VENTURELLI VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends Vanity Fair Celebrate 10th Anniversary during the 70th Venice International Film Festival at Fondazione Giorgio Cini on September 1, 2013 in Venice, Italy. –JACOPO RAULE VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani attends the 'Ballo in Maschera' to Celebrate Dolce&Gabbana Alta Moda at Palazzo Pisani Moretta on July 6, 2013 in Venice, Italy. –VENTURELLI VIA GETTY IMAGES
Afef Jnifen, Franca Sozzani (Vogue Italia), Gery Keszler (L-R) attend the Life Ball 2014 at City Hall on May 31, 2014 in Vienna, Austria. –GISELA SCHOBER VIA GETTY IMAGES
Editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani attends the 'The Great Gatsby' world premiere at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on May 1, 2013 in New York City. –STEPHEN LOVEKIN VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani poses during the 'Maison Vionnet' 100th Anniversary as part of Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring / Summer 2013 at Hotel Salomon de Rothschild on September 30, 2012 in Paris, France. –FRANCOIS DURAND VIA GETTY IMAGES
Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani (L) and actress Kirsten Dunst (R) attend the Rodarte Runway Show during the Spring 2013 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Zach Feuer Gallery on September 11, 2012 in New York City. –VIVIEN KILLILEA VIA GETTY IMAGES
MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 22: Franca Sozzani attend the Fendi Spring/Summer 2012 fashion show as part Milan Womenswear Fashion Week on September 22, 2011 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Venturelli/WireImage) –VENTURELLI VIA GETTY IMAGES
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MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 22: Franca Sozzani attends the Fendi Spring/Summer 2013 fashion show as part of Milan Womenswear Fashion Week on September 22, 2012 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Venturelli/Getty Images) –VENTURELLI VIA GETTY IMAGES
ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 15: Franca Sozzani attends the Lancia event as a part of Rome 2011 Vogue Fashion Night Out on September 15, 2011 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images for Lancia) –PAOLO BRUNO VIA GETTY IMAGES
VENICE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 04: Franca Sozzani is seen during the 68th Venice Film Festival at Hotel Cipriani on September 4, 2011 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Jacopo Raule/Getty Images) –JACOPO RAULE VIA GETTY IMAGES
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NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 19: Editor and Chief of Vogue Italiz Franca Sozzani attends the 2011 First Ladies And Fashion 4 Development Luncheon at The Waldorf=Astoria on September 19, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Marc Stamas/Getty Images) –MARC STAMAS VIA GETTY IMAGES
Bianca Brandolini D'Adda and Franca Sozzani attends the 'Sadie Coles And Angela Missoni Dinner For Gabriel Kuri And Urs Fischer' during the 54th International Art Biennale on May 31, 2011 in Venice, Italy. –VENTURELLI VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends RALPH LAUREN 40th Anniversary Dinner at Central Park Conservatory Garden on September 8, 2007 in New York. –PATRICK MCMULLAN VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani attends Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2008 Collection at The Tent on September 9, 2007 in New York City. –PATRICK MCMULLAN VIA GETTY IMAGES
Courtney Love, Franca Sozzani and Roberto Cavalli attend the Vogue.it Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Autumn/Winter 2010 show on February 26, 2010 in Milan, Italy. –TULLIO M. PUGLIA VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani at the Giambattista Valli fashion show during Paris Fashion Week at Espace Eiffel on October 2, 2008 in Paris, France. –LORENZO SANTINI VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani and Anna Wintour attend Who's On Next? party on September 22, 2010 in Milan, Italy. –JACOPO RAULE VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani is seen during Milan Fashion Week on September 22, 2010 in Milan, Italy. –JACOPO RAULE VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani and Lapo Elkann attend Stella McCartney And Established & Sons Dinner on April 14, 2010 in Milan, Italy. –VENTURELLI VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani attends the Marco de Vincenzo Womenswear S/S 2011 show during Milan Fashion Week on September 26, 2010 in Milan, Italy. –TULLIO M. PUGLIA VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani attends the Roberto Cavalli 'Il Nero Non E' Mai Assoluto' - Opening Exhibition on November 17, 2010 in Milan, Italy. –JACOPO RAULE VIA GETTY IMAGES
Franca Sozzani and Charlotte Casiraghi attend the Liberatum dinner hosted by Ella Krasner in honour of Sir V.S. Naipaul at The Landau in The Langham Hotel on November 23, 2010 in London, England. –DAVE M. BENETT VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Franca Sozzani attends Roberto Cavalli Party - Range Rover Outside Arrivals PFW S/S 2011 at Les Beaux-Arts de Paris on September 29, 2010 in Paris, France. –VENTURELLI VIA GETTY IMAGES