Countess Jacqueline de Ribes, a prominent figure in fashion and Parisian society, died on Tuesday at the age of 96, according to a statement released by her secretariat to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Wednesday, speaking on behalf of the family.

de ribes passed away in Switzerland, as confirmed by her assistant, Stéphanie de Mouly, to AFP.

A Fashion Icon and Philanthropist

Known as the “last queen of Paris,” de Ribes was a stylist, businesswoman, and jet-set figure celebrated for her elegance, particularly in the United States. She cultivated close friendships with fashion luminaries such as Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino.

In 2015, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York honored de Ribes with an exhibition showcasing approximately sixty ensembles, spanning both haute couture and ready-to-wear designs, with some pieces dating back to 1962.The collection was amassed by “the last queen of Paris” herself.

Early Recognition and a Fashion House

De Ribes first gained recognition in 1956 when she was included on the list of the world’s best-dressed women. She was inducted into the fashion “Hall of Fame” in 1962 and frequently featured in the work of leading fashion photographers.

Born Jacqueline de La Bonninière de Beaumont on July 14, 1929, the aristocrat married Viscount then Count Edouard de Ribes (1923-2013) at the age of 19. She possessed a lifelong passion for fashion and a spirit of independence.

After exploring various creative avenues – including journalism, theater, television, and interior design – de Ribes launched her own fashion house in 1962, encouraged by Yves Saint Laurent, a client of hers.

Her debut collection was met with a standing ovation from the international press, and the United states quickly became her primary market. She managed her fashion house until 1995, when health concerns led to its closure.

Legacy and collection Dispersal

In late 2019, the auction of works from the collection she built with her husband raised 22.8 million euros at Sotheby’s France, with pre-emptive acquisitions made by the Louvre Museum and the Palace of Versailles.