Ed Filipowski
Ed Filipowski

Ed Filipowski, who handled public relations for many of the world’s top fashion brands, including Tom Ford, Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Versace and Marc Jacobs, died on Jan. 10.

Filipowski and Julie Mannion took the helm at fashion PR agency KCD in 1991, following the deaths of agency partners Kezia Keeble and John Duka. Paul Cavaco, the third of the agency’s founders, subsequently sold the agency to Filipowski and Mannion, who had been with KCD since the mid 1980s.

KCD was credited with reshaping the image of fashion PR, giving it an air of professionalism and openness that it had previously lacked. “Everything was pragmatic. Everything was about being correct,” KCD client Anna Sui told the New York Times.

In addition to its long list of designer clients, KCD has also worked with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and fast-fashion chain H&M.

“Anyone who ever had the privilege of working with Ed knew he was far more than a particularly brilliant public relations executive,” said Anna Wintour, Vogue editor in chief and artistic director of Condé Nast, said in an article on Vogue.com. “Thanks to his terrific sense of loyalty, he was always able to make kindness and respect central to every single thing he did."

KCD said Monday that contributions in the name of Filipowski can be made to two organizations—the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, [email protected], and The Center: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center.