Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Ashley Graham lead the tributes following Ivan Bart’s shocking death over the weekend.
The former president of IMG Models died at the age of 60 after an unspecified, short illness.
At the beginning of March this year, he left his top job at IMG Models after 30 incredible years with the world-renowned modeling agency.
During his decades-long career, he shaped the careers of famous supermodels including Carolyn Murphy, Stephanie Seymour, Kate Moss, Gisele Bundchen, Joan Smalls, Kate Upton and Tyra Banks, among others.
His death was confirmed by Mark Shapiro, the president and COO of Endeavor, the parent company of IMG Models.
Remembering his legacy: Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Ashley Graham lead tributes following Ivan Bart’s shocking death over the weekend. The former president of IMG Models died at the age of 60 after an unspecified, short illness
“It is with overwhelming sadness and deep regret that I announce that Ivan Bart, longtime president of IMG Models and fashion industry trailblazer, passed away over the weekend,” he wrote in an email to employees of the company’s Daily Women’s Clothing.
“Over the course of three decades at IMG Models, Ivan has literally changed the shape and face of the modeling industry from within,” Shapiro continued. “His relentless pursuit of diversity and inclusion challenged the guardians of fashion and created household names whose omnipresence has inspired generations.”
In 2018, Bart received the Social Impact Award at the annual FIT Awards Gala and gave a touching speech in which he said, “What we see in advertising and on the runway must reflect who we all are.”
He is known to have championed plus-size models such as Candice Huffine, Ashley Graham, Precious Lee and Zach Miko.
After learning of his tragic death, Graham and numerous supermodels took to Instagram to pay tribute to their late friend.
Graham shared a post on her Instagram Story thanking him for being “such a champion to me” and her “forever friend.”
“I’m still processing the news and know I will continue to do so.” [sic] “The coming days, weeks and months,” her post began.
“They were one of the most important parts of my career. Your impact has moved mountains and broken down so many walls for me and so many others,” she continued.
‘An Icon’: After learning of his tragic death, Graham and a host of supermodels took to Instagram to share their tribute to their late friend. Graham shared a post on her Instagram Story thanking him for being “such a champion to me” and her “forever friend.”
“Legend”: In her touching tribute, Gigi Hadid gushed about “Legend,” her close friend who she called “My Boss Forever.”
“You were such a champion of mine,” she gushed about Bart. “I can’t thank you enough for the opportunities you’ve opened up for me, the time you’ve invested in me, and the help you’ve given me to navigate such a tough industry.”
She said he was “a storyteller, an icon, a problem solver, a forever friend,” before adding: “I miss you so much already and I love you forever, Ivan.”
Gigi Hadid began her touching tribute by saying, “Ivan. I still don’t have the words for this loss.
“I will never forget your spirit and your hugs, your support and your fight for others,” she continued. “Thank you, thank you, thank you… for everything.”
“Rest in peace, legend,” she wrote at the end of her note. ‘Mister. Beard. Forever “My boss.” You are so loved’.
Her father, Mohamed Hadid, wrote a lengthy caption gushing that Ivan was “a wonderful and gentlest human being.” [of] souls’.
“Very gentle souls…a wonderful human being, I’m saddened by this news,” he wrote.
“He was a guiding light for everyone who touched his life,” he continued. ‘God bless his soul. My condolences to his family and friends…he was loved.’
Touching comment: Her father, Mohamed Hadid, wrote a long caption gushing that Ivan was “a wonderful and gentlest human being.” [of] souls
Tributes galore: A host of high-profile names including John Legend, Hailey Bieber, Cindy Crawford and Emily Ratajkowski took to the comments section of the post shared on Ivan Bart’s official account to express their condolences
Hailey Bieber left a short but sweet message in the comments section along with three broken heart emojis: “I love you Ivan.”
Catwalk icon Cindy Crawford also commented: “Oh no! “I’m sorry to hear this sad news.”
Model and former actress Emily Ratajkowski left three broken heart emojis under the post.
Singer-songwriter John Legend shared a broken heart emoji and simply wrote, “Oh my God.”
Shanina Shaik wrote in the comments: “I’m heartbroken omg! It’s a blessing to have known you Ivan… we’ll miss you!”
In response to her friend’s death, Rachel Zoe also left a sweet message on the post.
A blessing: Shanina Shaik wrote that she was heartbroken and that it was “a blessing to have known Ivan.”
The best of the best: Rachel Zoe commented that the tragedy meant: ‘We lost the best of the best’
Heartbroken: Georgia May Jagger said she was heartbroken by the tragic news
“I’m at a loss,” she began. ‘My heart is broken. I have known and loved Ivan since the day I started in the industry.”
She added: “We lost the best of the best…one of one.”
Georgia May Jagger commented: “This is so heartbreaking I can’t believe it. ‘I’m so sorry’.
Bart is survived by his husband Grant Greenberg, his family, many friends and the IMG family, Shapiro said in the company email.