Tiffany jewelry designer Elsa Peretti dies aged 80

Famed Tiffany & Co jewelry designer Elsa Peretti has died, the company announced in a statement on Friday. She was 80 years old.

She died Thursday night in her sleep at her home located outside Barcelona, Spain. The statement from Tiffany described Peretti as “a woman who was larger-than-life”.

“A masterful artisan, Elsa was responsible for a revolution in the world of jewelry design. Her collections of organic, sensual forms have inspired generations,” the statement said.

“Elsa’s relationship with style and the natural world was profoundly personal and strongly reflected in her creations. Over the past nearly 50 years Elsa has created some of the most innovative jewelry and object designs in the world.”

Peretti was born in Florence, Italy. In her 20s, she moved to Spain where she started working as a model, and later made her way to New York to walk the runway for top designers. Peretti modeled for fashion designer Halston, who would introduce her to Tiffany & Co. leadership, and eventually launch her career with the company come 1974.

Peretti was also the president and founder of The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation, dedicated to the memory of her father, where she was committed to supporting the environment, social welfare, human rights, as well as the preservation of arts and culture.

Most recently, the luxury label celebrated the 50th anniversary of Tiffany & Co.’s “Bone Cuff” bracelet, designed by Elsa Peretti in the 1970s. The company enlisted Peretti to reinvent the timeless accessory in an exclusive capsule for Dover Street Market that launched in November.