Fashion designer Schon dead at 89

MILAN, Italy, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Famed Italian designer and stylist Mila Schon, who dressed the late U.S. first lady and fashion icon Jackie Kennedy, has died at the age of 89.

Among other celebrity clients she clothed in simple, modern ensembles were the Rockefellers, the Agnellis and singers Mina and Milva. She also designed the uniforms of Alitalia flight attendants, the Italian news agency ANSA said.

Born Maria Carmen Nutrizio in 1919 in what was then-Italian Dalmatia, but is now part of Croatia, Schon opened a small atelier in 1958 and headlined her own fashion show in Florence in 1965. She died Thursday night. The cause of her death was not reported.

"We have lost one of the pillars of Italian fashion," Mario Boselli of the Italian Chamber of Fashion told ANSA. '"We are losing too many -- first Gianni Versace, then Gianfranco Ferre and now her."

Milan city council observed a moment of silence in honor of Schon and her contributions Friday.