Mathilde Favier, the long-serving public relations director at French fashion house Christian Dior Couture, has died aged 57 in a road accident in France.
Favier died on Monday, August 17, alongside her partner, 61-year-old film producer Nicolas Altmayer. The vehicle in which the couple was traveling collided with a truck in Deux-Sevres, a department in western France. French authorities have opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the collision.
Collision in Western France
News of the tragedy has drawn widespread tributes from across the international fashion community. Delphine Arnault, the president and chief executive officer of Christian Dior Couture, praised Favier for her passion for life, her optimism and her talent.
Bernard Arnault, the chairman and chief executive of Dior parent company LVMH, highlighted the many years during which Favier dedicated her energy and commitment to the fashion house. Jonathan Anderson, the artistic director of Dior, described her as a figure who represented the core spirit of haute couture in many ways.
Career from Lagerfeld to Dior PR Chief
Favier was born in Paris into a family deeply connected to the French creative arts. Her sister, Victoire de Castellane, serves as the artistic director of fine jewelry at Dior, a division she has led since its establishment.
Favier began her career working within the inner circle of the late designer Karl Lagerfeld, who led Chanel and Fendi for decades. She later gained media and industry experience at fashion magazine Glamour and within the public relations department at Italian luxury brand Prada before joining Dior in 2011.
During more than a decade as public relations director at Christian Dior Couture, Favier became a key liaison between the Paris house and global celebrities. She managed relationships with brand ambassadors and international stars, overseeing major red carpet appearances, runway showcases and high-profile events around the world.
Favier guided the public relations of the maison through several major creative transitions up to the appointment of Jonathan Anderson. Her influence relied on an extensive contact list and decades of personal relationships built within the fashion industry. During her tenure, Dior created custom designs for international figures, including the wedding dress for singer Taylor Swift at her New York wedding to football player Travis Kelce, while continuing to showcase new couture trends on the Paris runway.
Author and Representative of Parisian Lifestyle
Beyond her corporate executive role, Favier was widely recognized as a tastemaker, hostess and prominent representative of Parisian culture and art de vivre. Her passion for fine taste, gastronomy, art, flowers and social life formed a central part of her personal world.
In 2024, she published her book Mathilde a Paris, released in English under the title Living Beautifully in Paris. The work offered an intimate guide to the French capital through her favorite museums, gardens, restaurants, fashion spots and personal encounters, presenting Paris as a refined, cultured and charming city.
Legacy at Christian Dior Couture
Her son, Carlo Agostinelli, paid public tribute to his mother following her death, remembering her enthusiastic approach to life.
Favier leaves behind a lasting legacy at Christian Dior Couture, where she spent more than ten years shaping the public profile and global influence of one of the world's most prestigious luxury fashion houses.
