Designer and a friend at his recent 39th birthday
Aruban-born fashion designer Percy Irausquin dies at 39, from an accident, at his home in Amsterdam, he was reported to have slipped in his bathroom and hit his head, under very ordinary circumstances.
Update: latest reports show that Percy Irausquin died of a stroke, and not of an accident.
Percy who resided in Holland was the recipient of a number of top European fashion awards and a frequent exhibitor at the Amsterdam International Fashion Week, each January. He visited his native island regularly, always showing his latest creations to his many local friends, clients and fans. He drew his inspirations he explained from his beautiful, tropical homeland and was thrilled about the way his clothing line, Prc, by Percy Irausquin, was being received.
Bohemian writer, event organizer and life-style guru Fernando Mansur, one of his best friends on the island, enjoyed hosting the Percy Irausquin home coming parties in which the designer shared Stockman stories about custom measurement dressmaker forms, Arab royalty clients and exquisite silk garment wrapping techniques from his days at the Christian Delacroix fashion house, over chilled French champagne and dainty canapés.
In recent years, Percy has worked for himself, successfully running a fashion atelier, designing both high fashion and prêt-a porte lines, and his big break came this year when one of his signature red dresses walked the red carpet at the 80th annual Academy Awards ceremony, worn by British Oscar-nominated writer/director/producer Suzy Templeton. It was in Percy’s words, “my first step on the red carpet of the world.”
Here on the island in June, Percy celebrated his birthday at Mira Solo Martini Bar at the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa, sipping champagne with his friends and celebrating the 31 page editorial in the European Beau Monde publication, devoted completely to him, his models and his designs. May you rest in peace, my friend.
PRC on the catwalk (Youtube video)
Related article: Happy Birthday, Percy Irausquin