HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Laura "Luann" Bambrough (April 28, 1964 – March 17, 2014), known professionally as L'Wren Scott,Notice of death of L'Wren Scott
mtv.com; accessed March 17, 2014.
was an American model, fashion designer, and stylist. Scott started her career as a model in Paris before moving to California and styling movie stars such as
Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone ( ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Referred to as the "Queen of Pop", she has been recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, ...
and
Julia Roberts Julia Fiona Roberts (born October 28, 1967) is an American actress. Known for her leading roles across various genres, she has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Award ...
. In 2006, she launched the first of her fashion collections, characterised by sumptuous femininity combined with unconventional touches, aimed at establishing a well-defined silhouette. She issued regular tips on etiquette, known as "L'Wrenisms", and extended her range into shoes, handbags, glasses, makeup and perfume. In 2013, she collaborated with
Banana Republic In political science, the term ''banana republic'' describes a politically and economically unstable country with an economy dependent upon the export of natural resource.A banana republic is a country with an economy of state capitalism, where th ...
on a line of affordable ready-to-wear holiday items. Scott's longest relationship was with Rolling Stones frontman
Mick Jagger Sir Michael Philip Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English musician. He is known as the lead singer and one of the founder members of The Rolling Stones. Jagger has co-written most of the band's songs with lead guitarist Keith Richards; Jagge ...
, whom she met in Paris around 2001. In 2014, following a period of severe depression, Scott was found dead in her home, from a suicide by hanging.


Early life and education

Scott was named Laura Bambrough by her
Mormon Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, the principal branch of the Latter Day Saint movement started by Joseph Smith in upstate New York during the 1820s. After Smith's death in 1844, the movement split into several ...
adoptive parents, Ivan and Lula Bambrough, who raised her in
Roy, Utah Roy is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States, on the west side of Interstate 15 in Utah, Interstate 15. The 2020 United States Census, population in 2020 was 39,306; an increase of 6.6% from 36,884 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 ce ...
, with two siblings, Jan and Randall, also adoptees. Laura was soon nicknamed "Luann". Known for her tall frame, she had already reached in height by age 12, and eventually grew to . Because of her height, she had to sew her own clothes. She learned clothing construction and fabric quality starting at age 12. She graduated from Roy High School in 1982.


Career

L'Wren Scott's career moved from model, stylist, to fashion designer. There are two versions of how she got her start. The first has her being spotted at age 16 by photographer Bruce Weber when he came to Utah on a photo shoot. He advised her to go to Paris. It is said that a year later she flew to Europe on a one-way ticket, after telling her parents she was going to New York. According to the other version, Scott moved to Los Angeles one and a half years after graduating from high school, where she was spotted by a scout with agency ties in Paris and began calling herself "L'Wren". Working with Paris-based agencies, ''Glamour'', and Marilyn Gauthier, she went on to work for
Thierry Mugler Manfred Thierry Mugler (; 21 December 1948 – 23 January 2022) was a French fashion designer, creative director and creative adviser of Mugler. In the 1970s, Mugler launched his eponymous fashion house; and quickly rose to prominence in the fol ...
,
Chanel Chanel ( , ) is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1910 by Coco Chanel in Paris. It is privately owned by French brothers, Alain and Gérard Wertheimer, through the holding company Chanel Limited, established in 2018 and headquarte ...
, and
Helmut Newton Helmut Newton (né Neustädter; 31 October 192023 January 2004) was a German-Australian photographer. The ''The New York Times, New York Times'' described him as a "prolific, widely imitated fashion photographer whose provocative, erotically ch ...
, and modeled for photographers such as Guy Bourdin,
David Bailey David Royston Bailey (born 2 January 1938) is an English photographer and director, most widely known for his fashion photography and portraiture, and role in shaping the image of the Swinging Sixties. Bailey has also directed several televisio ...
, and
Jean-Paul Goude Jean-Paul Goude (born in Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis 8 December 1938) is a French graphic designer, illustrator, photographer, advertising film director and event designer. He worked as art director at ''Esquire (magazine), Esquire'' magazine i ...
. Her first commercial success was as the legs on a clock for Pretty Polly hosiery ads, with photographs by Bailey.


Stylist

Scott moved to
California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
in the early 1990s and established herself as a stylist, initially in collaboration with photographer
Herb Ritts Herbert Ritts Jr. (August 13, 1952 – December 26, 2002) was an American fashion photographer and director known for his photographs of celebrities, models, and other cultural figures throughout the 1980s and 1990s. His work concentrated on b ...
, and later with Helmut Newton,
Karl Lagerfeld Karl Otto Lagerfeld also called Kaiser Karl (; 10 September 1933 – 19 February 2019) was a German fashion designer, photographer, and creative director. Lagerfeld began his career in fashion in the 1950s, working for several top fashion hous ...
and Mario Sorrenti. One of her early assignments was an ad campaign for
Elizabeth Taylor Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011) was an English and American actress. She began her career as a child actress in the early 1940s and was one of the most popular stars of classical Hollywood cinema in the 19 ...
's White Diamonds, eventually the world's top-selling celebrity fragrance. In 2009, she contributed designs for
Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone ( ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Referred to as the "Queen of Pop", she has been recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, ...
to wear in her photo shoot with model Jesus Luz for '' W Magazine''. In 2011, Scott styled actress
Julia Roberts Julia Fiona Roberts (born October 28, 1967) is an American actress. Known for her leading roles across various genres, she has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Award ...
for a ''W Magazine'' shoot, alongside
Tom Hanks Thomas Jeffrey Hanks (born July 9, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker. Known for both his comedic and dramatic roles, he is one of the most popular and recognizable film stars worldwide, and is regarded as an American cultural icon. Ha ...
. She designed costumes for such films as '' Diabolique'' (1996 remake), ''
Ocean's Thirteen ''Ocean's Thirteen'' is a 2007 heist comedy film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Brian Koppelman and David Levien. It is the third in the ''Ocean's'' film trilogy and a sequel to ''Ocean's Twelve'' (2004). The film features an en ...
'', ''
Eyes Wide Shut ''Eyes Wide Shut'' is a 1999 erotic mystery psychological drama film directed, produced, and co-written by Stanley Kubrick. It is based on the 1926 novella '' Dream Story'' () by Arthur Schnitzler, transferring the story's setting from earl ...
'', and '' Shine a Light'', a documentary by
Martin Scorsese Martin Charles Scorsese ( , ; born November17, 1942) is an American filmmaker. One of the major figures of the New Hollywood era, he has received List of awards and nominations received by Martin Scorsese, many accolades, including an Academ ...
about
The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the Album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pione ...
, with
Mick Jagger Sir Michael Philip Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English musician. He is known as the lead singer and one of the founder members of The Rolling Stones. Jagger has co-written most of the band's songs with lead guitarist Keith Richards; Jagge ...
, with whom she had been romantically linked since 2001.


Designer

Scott told '' Vogue'' in 2009, "I trusted my instincts and stuck to what I believed in." She designed clothing, makeup, perfume, handbags, shoes, and eyeglasses.


Silhouette

"I like a very sexy silhouette, and I like to feel like when you put something on, you zip yourself into it, and you're secure in there", Scott said. Net-A-Porter wrote that her designs have a "seductive, old-world feel: super-feminine silhouettes; rigorous cuts; nipped-in waists; pencil skirts, high-collared blouses; elegant, long-sleeved dresses." Scott was well known for her attention to detail. She was a hands-on designer, sourcing, often cutting patterns, sewing, and fitting many of the clothes herself.


"L'Wrenisms"

As a designer, she had developed what her followers called "L'Wrenisms", which were style tips. As quoted in ''
The Sunday Times ''The Sunday Times'' is a British Sunday newspaper whose circulation makes it the largest in Britain's quality press market category. It was founded in 1821 as ''The New Observer''. It is published by Times Newspapers Ltd, a subsidiary of N ...
'', they are an eccentric mix of opinions and practical tips. They include: * Wear a nude shoe to elongate the leg. * Spray perfume on the back of the hand, rather than the wrist, because it is more elegant. * Don't eat with a plastic fork. * Avoid drinking out of a bottle if possible. * Avoid bras and Spanx. Scott believed that a well-designed garment should do it all for the wearer.


Inspiration

In a backstage interview with Harriet Mays Powell of ''New York'', Scott described her design process. She started with color, then designed fabrics, and then the clothes. Her inspiration was found in nature and in things around her. Several collections, most especially her Madame DuBarry (SS 2011), as well as the inclusion of peony shirts, scarf, and pants in her Banana Republic collection, reflect this nature-based inspiration.


Collaborations and collections

In 2006, Scott launched her first collection, "Little Black Dress". It presented black dresses, including her now famous "Headmistress" dress worn by Madonna. Scott's creations were seen often on the red carpet.
Sarah Jessica Parker Sarah Jessica Parker (born March 25, 1965) is an American actress and television producer. In a career spanning over five decades, she has performed across several productions of both Sarah Jessica Parker filmography, screen and stage. List o ...
,
Angelina Jolie Angelina Jolie ( ; born Angelina Jolie Voight, , June 4, 1975) is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. The recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Angelina Jolie, numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards ...
,
Nicole Kidman Nicole Mary Kidman (born 20 June 1967) is an Australian and American actress and producer. Known for Nicole Kidman on screen and stage, her work in film and television productions across many genres, she has consistently ranked among the world ...
,
Penélope Cruz Penélope Cruz Sánchez (born 28 April 1974) is a Spanish actress. Prolific in Spanish and English-language films, she has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, a David di Donatello and three Goya Awards. Cru ...
, and
Amy Adams Amy Lou Adams (born August 20, 1974) is an American actress. Known for both her comedic and dramatic roles, she has been featured three times in annual rankings of the world's highest-paid actresses. She has received List of awards and nom ...
have all worn Scott's dresses to the
Academy Awards The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in film. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence in ...
. First Lady
Michelle Obama Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama ( Robinson; born January 17, 1964) is an American attorney and author who served as the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017, being married to Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United Stat ...
also favored Scott's designs, especially embellished cardigan sweaters. The former First Lady of France Carla Bruni-Sarkozy wore Scott's designs, as did
Naomi Campbell Naomi Elaine Campbell (born 22 May 1970) is a British supermodel. Beginning her career at the age of eight, Campbell was one of six models of her generation declared supermodels by the fashion industry and the international press. She was th ...
,
Marion Cotillard Marion Cotillard (; born 30 September 1975) is a French actress who has appeared in both European and Hollywood productions. She is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Marion Cotillard, various accolades, including an Ac ...
,
Reese Witherspoon Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon (born March 22, 1976) is an American actress and producer. She is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Reese Witherspoon, various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Aw ...
, Christina Hendricks,
Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lynn Lopez (born July 24, 1969), also known by her nickname J.Lo, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and businesswoman. Lopez is regarded as one of the most influential entertainers of her time, credited with breaking ...
, and
Sandra Bullock Sandra Annette Bullock (; born July 26, 1964) is an American actress and film producer. The List of highest-paid film actors, highest-paid actress of 2010 and 2014, Sandra Bullock filmography, Bullock's filmography spans both comedy and drama, ...
. In 2010, Scott collaborated with Lancôme to create a capsule collection for the 2010 holiday season featuring a lipstick in her signature bordeaux color. Photographer
Mario Testino Mario Eduardo Testino Silva Order of the British Empire, OBE Royal Photographic Society#Distinctions and qualifications, HonFRPS (born 30 October 1954) is a Peruvian fashion and portrait photographer. His work has featured internationally in ...
shot the campaign, which featured model Daria Werbowy wearing an outfit designed by Scott. May 2011 saw the launch of Scott's first collection of handbags, named "Lula" after her mother. The line was launched at
Barneys New York Barneys New York is an American brand founded in 1923 by Barney Pressman that operated full-line department stores from 1923 until 2020. Authentic Brands Group acquired Barneys' intellectual property in 2019, and has licensed the brand to Saks F ...
, with a personal appearance by Scott. In 2012, Scott launched her eponymous scent sold exclusively at Barney's. The scent is an eau de parfum priced at $195 for 3.4 oz. She also launched an eyewear line that year. The collection debuted at Vision Expo East, and was a collaborative partnership with the German-based Menrad Group. The L'Wren Scott collections were: * 2008: Purple Haze (Fall-Winter), and Dragonfly Blues (Spring-Summer); * 2009: Bois de Boulogne (FW) and Zephyr (SS). * 2010: Tuxedo Terrace (FW), and Madame du Barry (SS) * 2011: A Tropical Conversation (FW), and Serengeti Sunset (SS) * 2012: Tea Time (FW) and Beau Monde (SS) * 2013: Propaganda (RST), Yorkshire Pudding (SS), and Allegory of Love (FW) * 2014: Tagasode (SS). In February 2014, the
London Fashion Week London Fashion Week (LFW) is a clothing trade show that takes place in London, England, twice a year, in June and September. Showcasing over 250 designers to a global audience of influential media and retailers, it is one of the 'Big Four' fash ...
showing of her fall 2014 collection was canceled, citing delays in production. It was announced that the collection would be revealed via social media, and be presented in her Paris showroom to editors and retail buyers in March. In 2013, Scott collaborated with
Banana Republic In political science, the term ''banana republic'' describes a politically and economically unstable country with an economy dependent upon the export of natural resource.A banana republic is a country with an economy of state capitalism, where th ...
with an exclusive holiday collection including apparel and accessories for women. The collection was her first foray into an affordable line of ready-to-wear, and included scarves, jeans, purses, sweaters, pajamas, and cocktail dresses. It launched on December 5, with an opening attended by celebrities dressed in the clothing. Scott collaborated with makeup artist and brand Bobbi Brown to create lip glosses, eyeshadows and cheek color, which came out in 2014. In 2013, she also designed a limited edition bottle for Caudalie's Beauty Elixir.


The Rolling Stones

Scott collaborated with Mick Jagger to design his costumes for Rolling Stones tours. These included a gorilla coat covered in ostrich feathers, a green jacket that Scott dubbed "Glamouflage", a black jacket with butterflies, and an embroidered gold jacket inspired by
Gustav Klimt Gustav Klimt (14 July 1862 – 6 February 1918) was an Austrian symbolist painter and a founding member of the Vienna Secession movement. His work helped define the Art Nouveau style in Europe. Klimt is known for his paintings, murals, sket ...
.


Personal life

Scott was married twice. From 1990 to 1993, as "Lauren Scott", she was married to British property developer Andrew Ladsky. In 1993, one month after divorcing Ladsky, she married Anthony Brand, manager of a Prada franchise in Beverly Hills. The marriage lasted about a year. The divorce was finalized in 1997. Her longest relationship was with Rolling Stones frontman
Mick Jagger Sir Michael Philip Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English musician. He is known as the lead singer and one of the founder members of The Rolling Stones. Jagger has co-written most of the band's songs with lead guitarist Keith Richards; Jagge ...
, whom she met around 2001. The couple lived in
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
,
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
,
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
, and
Mustique Mustique is a private island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is part of the Grenadines, a chain of islands in the West Indies. The island is located within Grenadines Parish, and the closest island is the uninhabited Petite Mustique, ...
. Scott's siblings have divided opinions about the relationship.


Death

After a long period of depression, Scott was found dead by her assistant at her apartment in the Chelsea neighborhood of
Manhattan Manhattan ( ) is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the Boroughs of New York City, five boroughs of New York City. Coextensive with New York County, Manhattan is the County statistics of the United States#Smallest, larg ...
on March 17, 2014. The police reported that no note was found and there was no sign of foul play. The New York City Chief Medical Examiner determined Scott's death to be suicide by hanging. She was 49.L'Wren Scott: the mysterious suicide of Mick Jagger's girlfriend
Elizabeth Day, June 20, 2014.
Upon learning of her death, Jagger wrote on his website and on his official Facebook page:
I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way. We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for ourselves. She had great presence and her talent was much admired, not least by me. I have been touched by the tributes that people have paid to her, and also the personal messages of support that I have received. I will never forget her.
A memorial in Utah on April 12, 2014, was led by her brother Randall Bambrough. Bambrough urged people to remember Scott as "a wonderful, terrific person who was highly talented and had a very large heart and brought the best out in people." Her ashes were buried next to her parents, Ivan and Lula Bambrough, near the family home in
Ogden, Utah Ogden ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Weber County, Utah, Weber County, Utah, United States, approximately east of the Great Salt Lake and north of Salt Lake City. The population was 87,321 in 2020, according to the United States Census ...
. A final memorial was held in New York City on May 2, 2014, led by Jagger and Randall Bambrough.


Legacy

In January 2015, it was announced that Jagger had created a three-year scholarship fund in her name for
fashion design Fashion design is the art of applying design, aesthetics, clothing construction, and natural beauty to clothing and its accessories. It is influenced by diverse cultures and different trends and has varied over time and place. "A fashion design ...
students at the London-based school
Central Saint Martins Central Saint Martins is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London, a public art university in London, England. The college offers full-time courses at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and a variety of short ...
. The scholarship, which began in October 2015, covers all the fees for one student each year, over the course of three years (through 2017). In the weeks following Scott's death, both her
Banana Republic In political science, the term ''banana republic'' describes a politically and economically unstable country with an economy dependent upon the export of natural resource.A banana republic is a country with an economy of state capitalism, where th ...
collection and her higher-priced line at
Barneys New York Barneys New York is an American brand founded in 1923 by Barney Pressman that operated full-line department stores from 1923 until 2020. Authentic Brands Group acquired Barneys' intellectual property in 2019, and has licensed the brand to Saks F ...
sold out. She left her entire estate, estimated at $9 million, to Jagger. In 2021
Christie's Christie's is a British auction house founded in 1766 by James Christie (auctioneer), James Christie. Its main premises are on King Street, St James's in London, and it has additional salerooms in New York, Paris, Hong Kong, Milan, Geneva, Shan ...
organized a sale of clothes Scott had designed for Jagger. The proceeds, totalling over £365,000, went to the scholarship fund Jagger created.


References


External links

* L'Wren Scot
official site
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Scott, L'Wren 1964 births 2014 suicides American costume designers American fashion designers American female models Fashion stylists Mick Jagger People from Roy, Utah Place of birth missing Suicides by hanging in New York City People from Chelsea, Manhattan 2014 deaths American women fashion designers