Tennant, the duke’s granddaughter, became famous in the 1990s by walking the runway for Versace, Alexander McQueen and other designers
Stella Tennant, an aristocratic British model who was the muse of designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Gianni Versace, died suddenly at the age of 50, her family said on Wednesday.
Tennant, the duke’s granddaughter, became famous in the 1990s by walking the runway for Versace, Alexander McQueen and other designers.
In a statement, her family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of Stella Tennant on December 22.”
“Stella was a wonderful woman and an inspiration to all of us. She will miss him very much, “it was said.
The family asked for privacy and said that the arrangements for the memorial service would be announced later. They did not discover her cause of death.
Scottish police said police officers were called to an address in the town of Duns on the Scottish border on Tuesday after the sudden death of a 50-year-old woman. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.
The granddaughter of the 11th Duke of Devonshire Andrew Cavendish and his wife Deborah Mitford from a glamorous, unconventional aristocratic family, Tennant was one of the leading British models of the 1990s.
At the end of the decade, Lagerfeld announced her as Chanel’s new face, with an exclusive modeling contract, and she became a muse to the designer.
Fashion house Versace paid tribute to Tennant on Twitter, saying: “Versace mourns the death of Stella Tennant. Stella was the muse of Gianni Versace for many years and a friend of the family. We will miss Stella forever. Rest in peace.”
Donatella Versace posted a photo of Tennant on Instagram in honor of the model.
“Stella, I can’t believe you left,” she wrote. “You left us too soon. We met when you were at the beginning of your career. I’m glad for every moment we spent together. Ciao. Rest in peace.”
Stella McCartney said she was “dumbfounded” after hearing the news.
“What sad, horrible news to end this already shocking year!” McCartney wrote in an Instagram post featuring a photo of her and Tennant. “Rest in peace, inspiring woman. Your soul and inner beauty have surpassed outer perfection, Stella.”
Tennant has also appeared in advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein, Chanel, Hermes and Burberry.
In 1999, Tennant married French photographer David Lasnet. He and their four children survived.
“From the first meeting with Stella, I was completely delighted,” said fashion designer Marc Jacobs on social media. “Her beauty, style and body language combined with her manners, kindness, sense of humor and personality were like no other. “My condolences to David and her family. What a terrible, heartbreaking loss.”