Ivan Bart Cause of Death

Ivan Bart, the former president of IMG Models renowned for shaping the careers of iconic models such as Lauren Hutton, Carolyn Murphy, Stephanie Seymour, and the Hadid sisters, Gigi and Bella, has passed away at the age of 60 after a brief illness.

The news of his passing was shared on his official Instagram account, featuring a poignant black-and-white photograph of Bart. The caption accompanying the photo solemnly reads, “Our world has lost one of the greats. Ivan Bart, 1963-2023,” providing no further details.

In 2014, Bart assumed the role of president of IMG Models after the merger with WME, where he continued to play a pivotal role in shaping the careers of notable figures in the fashion world, including Hailey Bieber, Alton Mason, Wisdom Kaye, and many others.

Bart’s legacy extends beyond his contributions to the modeling industry. Throughout his illustrious career, he championed diversity and inclusion in casting, breaking down barriers for models like Alek Wek, Hari Nef, Precious Lee, Zach Miko, Quannah Chasinghorse, and Paloma Elsesser. He was a prominent advocate for plus-size models, notably signing Ashley Graham and others when Ford Models closed its plus-size division in 2014.

This year, three of IMG’s plus-size models, Jill Kortleve, Lee, and Elsesser, graced the cover of British Vogue’s April 2023 issue, a testament to Bart’s commitment to promoting diversity in the fashion industry.

The news of Ivan Bart’s passing has left the fashion world in shock and mourning. Fashion designers, models, stylists, celebrity makeup artists, and hairstylists, including Zac Posen, Shanina Shaik, Karen Elson, Pat McGrath, Hailey Bieber, and Rachel Zoe, have posted heartfelt condolences on Bart’s Instagram page, expressing their profound sadness at the loss of a “groundbreaking soul” and a true industry icon. Ivan Bart’s influence and impact on the world of fashion will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.