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Legendary fashion editor Michael Roberts has died at the age of 75. The former fashion director at Vanity Fair and editor at The New Yorker passed away on April 3, 2024, at his home in Sicily.
According to his close friend, who confirmed the news to Vogue, Roberts died peacefully at his home on the island of Sicily on April 3, 2024. The friend expressed their sorrow, saying, “It is with one very heavy heart that we have to announce the death of our beloved friend Michael.”
Career Highlights of Michael Roberts
Roberts had an illustrious career in magazines that spanned over 50 years, taking him across the world. He worked as a fashion director for The Sunday Times, design director for British Vogue in the UK, and contributed to Vanity Fair in both Paris and the US. He was also an editor of Boulevard magazine.
Throughout his career, Roberts also collaborated with some of the most celebrated photographers and designers in the industry, including Mario Testino, Annie Leibovitz, and John Galliano. He was known for his ability to spot emerging talent and give young designers and photographers a platform to showcase their work.
Roberts’ contributions to the fashion industry were not limited to magazines and advertising campaigns. He also published several books, including a memoir titled “The Snippy World of New Yorker Fashion Artist Michael Roberts” and “Shot in Sicily,” a photographic study of his adopted home.
Michael Roberts Hermès Campaign
Roberts was known for his significant contributions to the fashion industry, where he helped shape and document the world of fashion as it is known today. One of Michael Roberts’ most famous campaigns was for the French luxury goods company Hermès. In 2003, Roberts was tasked with creating the company’s Autumn/Winter advertising campaign.
He produced a series of stunning images that captured the elegance and sophistication of Hermès’ products. The campaign featured models clad in classic Hermès silk scarves, riding boots, and leather handbags, and was shot on location in the French countryside. The images showcased Roberts’ keen eye for style and his ability to create visually striking campaigns.
In addition to his work as a fashion editor, Roberts also had close ties with Tina Brown, who served as the editor of Vanity Fair during the years 1984-1992. Together, they were responsible for a series of covers that generated controversy, one of which featured Daryl Hannah holding two Oscars while blindfolded.
Roberts also made headlines for his striking photoshoots, such as the iconic cover for Tatler magazine, which saw British designer Vivienne Westwood transformed into former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Remembering a Pioneer in the Fashion Industry
As one of the few Black editors in the Seventies and Eighties, Roberts broke barriers for diversity in fashion. He was born in 1947 in Buckinghamshire to an English mother and a father from St Lucia. His contributions to the industry made him an influential figure, and he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2022 as part of the Queen’s New Year Honours.
Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue, described Roberts as a “guiding light,” and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Roberts was a writer, stylist, and photographer who left an indelible mark on the fashion industry, and his contributions will be remembered for years to come.
In his passing, the fashion industry has lost a true pioneer, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Robert’s death marks the end of an era, but his contributions to the world of fashion will continue to live on. His passing is a reminder of the impact that one person can make in their field and the importance of leaving a legacy.
