Italian shoe designer Sergio Rossi dies from Coronavirus at the age of 84

Sergio Rossi, one of the most famous Italian shoe designers, has died from coronavirus at the age of 84.

Rossi was admitted to hospital a few days ago in Cesena, a city in Emilia-Romagna, one of the regions hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. He died on Thursday, April 2, in the hospital.

Announcing news of the designer’s death on Friday morning, Riccardo Sciutto, the Chief Executive of the Sergio Rossi Company told the fashion website Women’s Wear Daily: “He was a master, it was a great pleasure to have met him. He was our spiritual guide and he is today more than ever.”

Luciana Garbuglia, the Mayor of San Mauro Pascoli, where Rossi was born in 1935 and where he founded his brand, confirmed the death of Rossi and its link to the novel COVID-19 to dpa.

The Sergio Rossi Company was founded in 1951 and gained fame in the 1960s. His shoes were used by designers such as Azzedine Alaïa, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana in their collections, and worn by celebrities from Lupita Nyong’o to Rihanna, and Paris Hilton to Laura Dern. Ariana Grande has often worn the late designer’s Matrix thigh-high boots.

Just Last month Rossi donated €100,000 to the Sacco hospital in Milan to help in the fight against coronavirus.