Christian Audiger dies: Ed Hardy founder passes away after battle with cancer

French fashion designer Christian Audigier has died.

The style icon, best known for his successful clothing lines Ed Hardy and Von Dutch, passed away on Thursday 9 July after losing his battle with cancer. He was 57-years-old.

Confirming the news to LATF USA, his long-time publicist Michele Elyzabeth paid tribute to an "brilliant man".

"I just heard the news and I am truly devastated. Christian was an incredibly brilliant man. He will be missed."

His death comes just months after he revealed his diagnosis. In April, he told TMZ that he had been fighting the blood disorder Myelodyspalstic Syndrome since January. It is the same the disease Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts was diagnosed with back in 2012.

The site also reported that he had received a bone marrow transplant on March 19 upon completion of his chemotherapy.

Audiger first ventured into the world of fashion when he was 14 before moving to New York to work with brands including Guess, Levis, Diesel and Bisou Bisou.

He launched his brand Ed Hardy in 2004 and his designs became a favourite of stars including Heidi Klum, Kim Kardashian, and Nick Cannon.

By 2010, he had amassed an empire worth an estimated at $250m (£161m) and his brand was available in more than 40 countries.

In 2013, he teamed up with One Direction to launch his fashion label, Lord Baltimore. Niall Horan and Zayn Malik fronted the promotion campaign and remaining members Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson agreed to be the first to sport the new look on and off stage.

"The collection captures the essence of Audigier's affinity for graphic tees, however, Lord Baltimore explores bright, vibrant colors and new graphics that we didn't see in the initial Ed Hardy line," a source told Hollywood Life at the time.

Audiger is survived by his daughter and two sons.