Ed Filipowski co-chairman of New York-based public relations agency KCD, has died at his home in New York after complications following a recent surgery.

“I will always remember the kindness Ed showed to me in the very early days of BoF, giving constructive feedback and advice, encouraging me to stay true to my voice and providing valuable access and opportunities to create meaningful stories,” said BoF’s founder Imran Amed. “All of us at BoF will remember him fondly and offer our deepest condolences to his loved ones and the KCD team. His spirit and keen eye for talent will live on in their dedication to our industry.”

An amazing orator of powerhouse fashion PRs, Filipowski supported the industry’s transformation from a loose network of independently run brands into a global business driven by multinational conglomerates. Throughout his career, he worked to help shape the careers of John Galliano, Donatella Versace, Tom Ford and others.

Born outside of Pittsburgh, Filipowski earned a journalism degree from Northwestern University and moved to New York in the early 1980s. He met the publicist Kezia Keeble just a few years later, eager to work at her hip PR agency, which repped brands like Stephen Sprouse and the of-the-era retailer Charivari. “It all goes to back to Kezia,” Filipowski told BoF in 2016.