An investigation was opened in September for "
abuse of weakness
" after a complaint against X in August of Christophe von Weyhe, ex-companion of Azzedine Alaïa, who believes to have been dispossessed of the foundation responsible for the legacy of the dead Tunisian stylist in 2017, said the Paris prosecutor's office on Wednesday, October 20, requested by AFP.
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According to his lawyer, Me Caroline Toby, Christophe von Weyhe, 84, believes that his degraded health was used against him for a governance not in accordance with the wishes of the couturier is placed at the head of the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation, directed by the famous Italian gallery owner Carla Sozzani.
Death of the stylist
At the time of the stylist's death in November 2017, “
Carla Sozzani will take up more and more space at the expense of Christophe von Weyhe, then very weak, by making him sign documents removing all rights to the foundation, ceding shares in company or organize donations to the foundation,
”said Mr. Toby.
Christophe von Weyhe's niece and attorney, Susanne von Weyhe, co-signed the complaint.
“
An investigation was opened on September 1, 2021 on the count of abuse of weakness.
The investigations were entrusted to the Brigade for the repression of astute delinquency (BRDA)
”, only indicated the prosecution, requested by AFP.
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Contacted, Carla Sozzani's entourage told AFP that she was absolutely not aware of the current procedure and therefore that she was not in a position to comment on it.
Known for her timeless dresses sculpting the female body, Azzedine Alaïa was an admired figure in the fashion world.
The Franco-Tunisian designer made a name for himself in the 1980s by inventing the bodysuit, the tight black boxer shorts, the zipped back skirt, which helped define the silhouette of the time.
He designed his clothes in three dimensions, using little drawing and preferring to create the dresses directly on the body of women.
Creator of the toga-flag
In 1989, he created the flag toga worn by the singer Jessye Norman for the Bicentenary of the French Revolution parade.
At the beginning of the 90s, he made an impression by signing a collaboration with Tati, playing on the pink gingham pattern of the low-cost brand.
Allergic to promotion, this discreet little man, invariably dressed in a Chinese suit, had the luxury of doing without advertising and presented his parades according to his own schedule, away from the frenzy of Fashion weeks.
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In 2007, Azzedine Alaïa decided to set up an association in her name with the German painter Christophe von Weyhe, her historical companion, as well as with the renowned Italian gallery owner Carla Sozzani, her very close friend, in order to preserve her work and its heritage.
This association will be transformed into the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation.
It is recognized as being of public utility at the end of February 2020. Carla Sozzani chairs it, while Christophe von Weyhe, is its vice-president, according to the foundation's website.
