Supermodel Tatjana Patitz has died at the age of 56 after battling with breast cancer, prompting heartfelt tributes from the world of fashion.
Tatjana, from Hamburg, Germany, rose to fame in the 80s and 90s and appeared on the cover of British Vogue in 1990, alongside some of the biggest modelling stars of the era.
The Model CoOp, her New York modelling agency, confirmed the tragic news of her death, in Santa Barbara, California, on Wednesday (January 11).
Her role in George Michael’s video for the hit song Freedom! saw her share a stage with world-renowned supermodels Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford, and she also featured in music films for Duran Duran and Nick Kamen, after a successful career in high fashion.
Fellow supermodel Helena Christensen wrote on Instagram: “Beautiful Tatjana, you were such a divine spirit inside out. Always graceful and calm with those wonderful smiling eyes.
“We went on so many trips together from such a young age and shared incredible memories. I loved being around you, it felt so peaceful and we always laughed a lot.
“I am grateful we kept in touch till the end, it made me smile just now reading through our texts realising they’re mostly about our love for nature.
“I hope you’re riding on a horse in endless meadows with that smile on your face and the wind blowing in your hair. RIP beautiful angel.”
An online tribute by fashion icon Anna Wintour, Vogue’s global editorial director, read: “Tatjana was always the European symbol of chic, like Romy Schneider-meets-Monica Vitti.
“She was far less visible than her peers, more mysterious, more grown-up, more unattainable, and that had its own appeal.”
The Peter Lindbergh Foundation, named for the legendary photographer who snapped Patitz for Vogue, wrote: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tatjana Patitz, a long-time friend of Peter’s.
“We would like to salute Tatjana’s kindness, inner beauty and outstanding intelligence. She will be immensely missed.” (DailyStar)