UKFT and the industry have been saddened to learn of the death of our friend and former member, the couture designer David Sassoon, on Wednesday 9 April. David was one of the key founding designers of what went on to become the Brits in Paris group of British Designers at Paris Fashion Week.

Born on 5 October 1932 in London to Iraqi Jewish parents, David joined Belinda Bellville’s salon in 1958, which was later renamed Bellville Sassoon in 1970.

Over many decades, David’s designs graced the wardrobes of numerous royals and celebrities. He dressed Princess Margaret, Sarah Ferguson, Camilla Shand, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, and Madonna. Notably, he created over 70 outfits for Princess Diana, including her memorable going-away dress following her 1981 wedding to Prince Charles.

Image: David Sassoon with fashion designer Zandra Rhodes at the opening of the Barbican (1982).

Beyond his design work, Sassoon was known for his warmth, charm, and humility. Right up until his death he remained active and supportive of an industry he loved, mentoring and supporting the next generation of British designer including Nabil Nayal. Despite his illustrious clientele, he remained approachable and grounded, often recalling hilarious and sometimes self-deprecating anecdotes from his career.

Nabil said: “David taught me about business; how to deal with suppliers and manufacturers, and helped me navigate production in the UK David also supported me in design too; teaching me about how to respond to the varying demands of a wardrobe.”

David’s contributions to British fashion, particularly in elevating British couture to the global stage and support for new British designers, have left an indelible mark on the industry. ​ In 2009 David published his book, the Glamour of Bellville Sassoon.  In 2023, some of his designs were featured in the “Fashion City” exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands, celebrating the impact of Jewish designers on global fashion.

David was a very dear and close friend of Dame Zandra Rhodes (they spoke daily) and the late Gail Sackloff OBE (who died earlier this year) but he was also a dear friend to and supporter of UKFT over many years.

In the early nineties, having played an important role bringing glamour and couture onto the London Fashion Week stage, David Sassoon approached Laurian Davies and Paul Alger at UKFT to put together a group of UK couture exhibitors including Caroline Eavis of Eavis and Brown at a small show named Paris sur Mode during what was to become an integral part of the Carrousel de la Mode and, ultimately, Paris Fashion Week. From this, UKFT’s Paris Fashion Week tradeshows and showroom programme began, enabling numerous British designers to reach their international wholesale customers with grants from the UK government (until 2021). To this day, Paris remains the key selling location for UK designers and couture collections and David’s role in this was central.

Dame Zandra Rhodes said: “I first met David in 1967 when he commissioned me to make a print for him, well before I started making my own garments. From then on, David remained a great friend; travelling around the world, advising me on business decisions, accompanying me at the Queen’s Jubilee ‘Dames in Jags’, and most recently becoming a valued trustee of the Zandra Rhodes Foundation. A lifetime of wonderful memories together.”

Paul Alger MBE, international business director at UKFT said: “David was the most wonderful gentleman. Kind and funny, generous and passionate about glamour and encouraging the next generation into the business. He was one of the very best unsung heroes of our industry.”

Read David’s obituary in WWD