Keith Varty is known for helming Eighties label Byblos, succeeding the legendary Gianni Versace - who preceeded him as the brand's artistic director. The designer died of cancer, aged 60.
"Keith Varty was the first of the first that set a standard, he was a young innovative British designer," said Varty's long-time friend Burstein. "Keith worked for Dorothee Bis in Paris before being wowed over to Italy by Gianni Versace, who then worked at Byblos. After two successful years, Keith Varty and Alan Cleaver took over. The collections could have been as modern today as it was then. He bought an infusion of talent from Britain into the Italian market."
Varty and his long-time partner Alan Cleaver were scouted fresh from the Royal College of Art in 1980 to work on Byblos - launched in 1972 by brothers Sergio and Arnold Girombelli - which was known for its huge impact on Eighties fashion, with its playful, colourful aesthetic. Sergio Girombelli lauded Varty for his "enthusiasm and talent" and described how he interpreted fashion in a "young and colourful way". Varty left Byblos in 1993 and went on to launch an interiors label - named Elericò e K&A Designs.
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