By Sewe Ishola

The Editor of Italian Vogue, Franca Sozzani has died today in Milan after a year-long illness.

According to Condé Nast International’s chairman and chief executive, Jonathan Newhouse, “Franca was one of the greatest editors who ever made a magazine.” In a post on the magazine’s website, Newhouse described the dearth is Sozzani as the saddest news he has ever had to report.

“She was by far the most talented, influential and important person within the Condé Nast International organisation. She made Italian Voguea powerful and influential voice in the worlds of fashion and photography by publishing ground-breaking photography and journalism. In doing so she expanded Vogue beyond what had been the traditional model of a fashion magazine and often courted controversy by doing so.” He added

Sozzani, began her career as “assistant tosistant to the assistant,”  at Vogue Bambini in 1976. She became Editor in Chief of  Italian Vogue  in 1988 same year, Anna Wintour became Editor of Vogue America.

She has led the Italian edition of the fashion bible for over 28 years now, and is adored by journalists, designers and photographers alike thanks to her generosity of spirit and championing of new talents.