Ed Hardy designer dead at 57

Fashion designer Christian Audigier, who was behind the successful clothing lines Ed Hardy and Von Dutch, died on Thursday after a battle with cancer. He was 57.

"I just heard the news and I am truly devastated. Christian was an incredibly brilliant man. He will be missed," his longtime publicist Michele Elyzabeth told the website LATF USA, reports tmz.com.

Audigier announced he was suffering from Myelodysplastic Syndrome in January but was reported to have been "doing much better" a few months ago after undergoing a bone marrow transplant following chemotherapy on March 19.

At the time he was spotted leaving Cedars-Sinai hospital with his girlfriend Nathalie Sorenson.

However, he had recently been re-admitted into the hospital where he is said to have passed into a coma before recently waking up.

The French-born fashion designer was known for popularising brands Von Dutch and Ed Hardy and also worked with labels including Guess, Levis, Diesel and Bisou Bisou after moving here in his 20s.

Audigier, whose fashion empire is said to be worth around $250 million, is survived by his three children -- a daughter and two sons.