Franca Sozzani, Legendary Fashion Editor, Has Died

On Thursday, the news that the legendary Franca Sozzani had died started making the rounds across social media. Designers, models and fashion editors around the world began mourning the loss of one of the fashion industry's most influential people. But who was Franca Sozzani?

Franca Sozzani was the Editor-in-Chief of Italian Vogue since 1988 and transformed the magazine into the powerhouse that it is now. Before she took the lead at Italian Vogue, she was rumored to have said, "Why would anyone buy Italian Vogue? Only Italians read Italian." But clearly, her vision changed all of that and now Italian Vogue is one of the most coveted glossies on the planet.

Sozzani expanded Italian Vogue beyond just fashion, using it as a forum for tackling serious issues, like racism and violence. In fact, it was under her tutelage that Italian Vogue published its "Black Issue" in 2008, featuring only models of color throughout the entire magazine.

Sozzani died at age 66 after fighting illness for over a year. Sozzani is being remembered by the fashion industry and all the people whose lives she's touched. Anna Wintour even wrote a heartwarming tribute to Sozzani following the news of her death, saying that "Franca was no ordinary friend." The rest of the fashion industry definitely agrees.

Many, many fashion insiders took to Instagram to share their fondest memories of Sozzani.

Jourdan Dunn, who graced the cover of the legendary Black Issue shared this image on Instagram with a heartfelt message about how Sozzani gave her a chance.

Marc Jacobs, along with plenty of other designers, shared snaps with the icon. Sozzani mentored and supported many of today's top designers.

Kanye even took to Twitter for non-ranting purposes to honor the late fashion editor.

Bella Hadid also had a chance to meet the legend when she made Vogue Italia's September 2016 cover.

And Donatella Versace shared this heartbreaking pic of her and her best friend.

RIP Franca Sozzani.