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We've been mourning a lot in fashion this year - from the passing of 85-year-old Karl Lagerfeld to Gloria Vanderbilt's death to Topshop shutting down over 20 stores globally.
READ MORE: A tribute to fashion king Karl Lagerfeld and how his Little Black Dress liberated us
One more visceral punch to the gut marked the beginning of November and the end of an era for New York-based designer Zac Posen, who announced the closure of his eponymous label on Friday.
Harper's Bazaar reports that the label's owners House of Z and Z Spoke, "revealed the company — which was founded in 2001 — had failed to secure investment and the company could no longer continue operations."
The article also shared what the 39-year-old designer said in a statement;
“The management team… worked extremely hard to navigate the increasingly challenging fashion and retail landscape. We are disappointed that these efforts have not been successful and deeply saddened that the journey of nearly 20 years has come to an end.
“I am grateful to the team who lent their incomparable talent and commitment along the way. I remain incredibly proud of what we created and hopeful for the future.”
Vogue also reported that "The House of Z, Posen’s company had been in the midst of a sale process," further stating that Posen then "notified his staff of about 60, including the artisans who worked in his atelier, one of the few remaining ateliers in New York City, that they were out of jobs on [Friday morning]."
The darling of the red carpet told the fashion bible in an exclusive interview that time ran out to pair himself up with a suitable partner that would help keep the label afloat, attributing these challenges to the "difficult climate out there.”
Every designer has their muse (even red carpet bestie) and a friendship of Mr Posen's that stood out has always been the one he has with Rihanna.
It's therefore fitting that we saunter down memory lane and appreciate the creations he put the award-winning artists in as well as other stars he added some sparkle to.
Rihanna
A fashion friendship begins...
Zac has been dressing Rihanna for red carpet appearances throughout her career and hence, his contribution to her ascendance to style icon status cannot be erased. The designer dressed the Fenty founder for her first Annual Diamond Ball in 2014 in one of his signature mermaid gowns.
Here, the pals are seen at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Fall 2015 at Zac Posen's show.
Bad Gal Riri even appeared in the 2018 blockbuster Oceans 8 in a Zac Posen gown, making for one of the most notable stills to come from the movie.
More friends of Z
Liu Wen and Zac Posen attend the 2017 Tony Awards
Aja Naomi King attends the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in this knockout Zac Posen gown
Phenomenal actress Viola Davis at the 87th Annual Academy Awards in 2015.
Imaan Hammam with Zac Posen at the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Met Gala, 2018.
Katie Holmes in a Zac number at the 'Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between' Met gala, 2017.
Orange is the New Black star, Laverne Cox, dazzles in... well, black at the 2019 Emmy Awards.
He brought out Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) for the 8th Annual New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala.
Winnie Harlow for PEOPLE Magazine
FeiFei Sun and Zac Posen at the 2019 CFDA Fashion Awards. We love you, Zac! xoxo
Images: Getty
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