Christian Audigier Dead: Designer Succumbs To Cancer At 57

Christian Audigier, a designer who is most famous for his work with Ed Hardy, has died at the age of 57.

It was previously announced that Audigier had been battling cancer back in April. Michele Elyzabeth, who worked as his publicist for years, confirmed the loss to LATF USA, via Daily Mail.

“I just heard the news and I am truly devastated. Christian was an incredibly brilliant man. He will be missed.”

In January, Christian Audigier was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a bone disease. In March, after completing chemotherapy, Audigier underwent a bone marrow transplant.

In April he was then pictured leaving the Cedars-Sinai Hospital, and he looked to be in good spirits as he was spotted in front of a banner than read “never give up” with a huge smile on his face.

Audigier, who founded Ed Hardy, was also spotted kissing his girlfriend, Nathalie Sorensen. However, it’s believed that Christian Audigier he was re-admitted to Cedars-Sinai Hospital, where he slipped into a coma before recently waking up.

Audigier’s work with Ed Hardy turned the company into a recognised brand and designer in the early 2000s. Because of this success, he was able to sell the company to Iconix Brand Group Inc. for $62 million back in 2011.

Born in France in 1958, Christian Audigier worked for a number of labels throughout his early 20s, including Levis, Diesel, and Bisou Bisou, while he also helped to popularise the Von Dutch brand. It has previously been estimated that Audigier’s worth is in the region of $250 million.

Christian Audigier is survived by his two sons and daughter.

[Image via Florian Seefried/Getty Images]