Chanel Artistic Director Jacques Helleu Passes Away

Jacques Helleu - www.worldtempus.com

Jacques Helleu, the man responsible for the House of Chanel’s iconic ad campaigns, passed away Friday after a long illness. He was 69.

For more than forty years, Helleu served as artistic director for Chanel, and was at the helm of the house’s cinematic and fantasy-themed advertising, featuring the likes of Catherine Deneuve, Ali MacGraw, Candice Bergen, Nicole Kidman, Kate Moss and most recently, Keira Knightley.

He is also credited with establishing Chanel as a key brand name in the modern consumer market, maintaining throughout his career the philosophy that the continuous rejuvenation of a brand’s advertising is key to its longevity.

A private funeral for Helleu, who is survived by his wife, five children, a sister and four grandchildren, will be held in Paris on Tuesday afternoon.

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