Shanghai Tang creative director Raffaele Borriello has died in Paris.
The Italian designer’s death was attributed to complications during surgery.
“During his time with the brand his talent, commitment, mentorship and kindness were greatly appreciated by all the employees in the company,” says a Shanghai Tang statement. “He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family.”
Shanghai Tang CEO Raphael le Masne de Chermont paid tribute to Borriello on Instagram: “Goodbye my dear friend – you were the prince of elegance and kindness – a rare human being with a beautiful positive energy,”
This death came a week after Richemont sold the Hong Kong-based fashion label to Italian fashion entrepreneur Alessandro Bastagli and Cassia Investments.
Appointed Shanghai Tang creative director in June last year, Boriello already had a CV boasting time with Tom Ford at Gucci, plus stints at Leonard, Balmain, Yves Saint Laurent and Sonia Rykiel.
In an interview last year, Borriello told Style magazine that some of his earliest memories were about fashion.
He said his mother was an elegant woman who loved fashion while his father was a politician. “They had a lot of social events. When I was very young, my mother took me along to shop for gowns and fabrics with her. I don’t know why, but she expected my opinion even when I was only four years old.”
Borriello said his father was really strict and told him to study law. “I did law for two years in university and at the same time took classes at the fashion academy. I finally confronted my dad and told him I would never be a lawyer. Today, he’s very happy about me becoming a fashion designer.”
