Tatiana Patitz is dead. The supermodel was 56 years old

Tatjana Patitz rose to fame in January 1990 when she appeared alongside Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington in beachwear and jeans on the cover of British Vogue.

Peter Lindbergh’s photographs were a breakthrough moment for the fashion world of the 90s, and for women, their images became the crowning achievement of a supermodel career.

Patitz was a favorite of Chanel and Versace, for whom she appeared on runways and in advertising campaigns. At the same time, she took care of her private life, including living in California away from fashion events.

Patitz was not interested in living in New York or Paris, instead buying a ranch on the west coast. She was interested in environmental and natural issues – she was one of the models who appeared on the famous poster with the slogan: “We’d rather go naked than wear fur.”

– She was much less visible than her peers, more mysterious, mature, unattainable and that had its charm – recalls Anna Wintour, director of “Conde Nast” and “Vogue”.

In 2009, speaking about the dangers the industry poses to the younger generation, she told the Guardian: “It would be nice if models were allowed to be at a healthier weight – for the sake of the models and the young women looking at them. We were fit and healthy. and we looked like women.

In his book “10 Women”, Peter Lindbergh wrote about Patitz that “she always remained herself”. “She is very delicate, but at the same time very strong and knows how to stand up for what she thinks. Being with her is always enriching.