Former president of IMG Models Ivan Bart has died aged 60 after a short illness over the weekend.
The fashion boss helped launch the careers of famous catwalk models including the likes of Gigi and Bella Hadid, Lauren Hutton, Carolyn Murphy and Stephanie Seymour.
News of his death was shared to his official Instagram account alongside a black and white photo of Bart and a caption confirming he had died.
It simply read: ‘Our world has lost one of the greats. Ivan Bart, 1963-2023,’ offering no further details about the cause of his death.
Model Gigi, 28, took to her own Instagram account to share her heartbreak at learning the news and offered her condolences.
She said: ‘Ivan. I do not yet have words for this loss. I will never forget your spirit and hugs, your support and fight for others.
‘Thank you, thank you, thank you, for everything. Rest in peace legend. Mr. Bart. Forever “My Boss”. You are so loved.
Following Gigi’s personal message, other models left their words of shock underneath the original post announcing the sad news.
Cindy Crawford wrote: ‘Oh no! Sorry to hear this sad news’, while Shanina Shaik typed: ‘I’m heartbroken omg ! A blessing to have known Ivan, you will be missed!’
Gigi and Bella’s father Mohamed Hadid penned: ‘Most gentle souls .. a wonderful human I am sadden with this news.
‘He was a guiding light to every one that touched his life. God bless his soul. My condolences to his family and his friends … he was loved.’
Fashion designer Rachel Zoe added: ‘I am at a loss my heart is broken. I have known and loved Ivan since the day I started in the industry.
‘We have lost the best of the best ..one of one.’
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