French Fashion Designer Emanuel Ungaro Dies Aged 86

He trained under Spanish maestro Cristóbal Balenciaga, and along with Yves Saint Laurent, is seen as having helped establish ready-to-wear as an alternative to couture

Emanuel Ungaro, the pioneering French designer who once described himself as a "sensual obsessive", died in Paris this past Saturday at the age of 86. Ungaro, who retired from the industry in 2004, had been in poor health for the past two years, reported his family. He is survived by his wife Laura and his daughter Cosima.

Born in Aix-en-Provence in southern France in 1933 to a family of Italian immigrants, Ungaro moved to Paris at the age of 22 and learned his trade under the tutelage of the legendary Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga.

Ungaro launched his eponymous label in 1965, and quickly became known for his feminine designs and use of bright colours and mixed prints, all strongly imbued with a sense of old school glamour. Together with Yves Saint Laurent, Ungaro is recognised as having helped to establish ready-to-wear as an alternative to couture.

Ungaro retired in 2004 at the age of 72, selling his business to Silicon Valley businessman Asim Abdullah. He received the prestigious Légion d'Honneur for his contributions to the fashion industry.