The Tragic Death Of Stella Tennant

Renowned supermodel Stella Tennant, who modeled for the likes of Chanel and Hermes, died on Dec. 22, 2020, just days after her 50th birthday. "It is with great sadness we announce the sudden death of Stella Tennant," her family told The Sun in a statement. "Stella was a wonderful woman and an inspiration to us all. She will be greatly missed." They continued, "Her family ask for their privacy to be respected. Arrangements for a memorial service will be announced at a later date." As of this writing, there is no additional information about her cause of death. 

Scotland-born Tennant is survived by her husband, David Lasnet, as well as their children, Marcel, Cecily, Jasmine, and Iris. Outside of building a beautiful family, Tennant is best remembered for strutting the catwalk in the 90s with the likes of Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss. She was also known for being a "longtime muse" to the late Karl Lagerfeld, as well as gracing the covers of the most elite magazines including Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, as Page Six noted. Tennant's career withstood the test of time, with her last runway walk opening the Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 show in January, per Page Six.

Following the news of Tennant's untimely passing, many influential players in the fashion industry posted tributes in her honor and sent kind words to her family. Keep on reading to find out what they had to say.

The sudden passing of Stella Tennant struck a chord with the global editorial director of Vogue, Anna Wintour. "Stella was the very definition of original in everything that she did and through everything she stood for," Wintour said in a statement to People. "She brought her acute intelligence and innate sense of style every time she worked with us; her presence always transcended any quotidien [daily] notion that she was just a model."

She continued to gush over Tennant's accomplishments, stating, "Through her long career in the industry she remained a figure of fascination and inspiration for each new generation, perhaps because of the way she effortlessly stepped in and out of it at her own choosing." She added, "Stella was a wonderful collaborator and colleague to so many of us over the years, but she was never happier than when she could leave fashion behind, and return to her beloved family and friends, and to a life far away in Scotland."

In addition to Wintour, Victoria Beckham, Stella McCartney, and other famous faces posted tributes in Tennant's honor. "She was an incredible talent and someone I had so much admiration and respect for," Beckham wrote in her Instagram post dedicated to the model, while McCartney wrote, "My heart goes out to your stunning family who must be in such undeserving pain. I am speechless... Rest in peace, you inspiring woman."