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Queen Letizia of Spain's wedding dress designer Manuel Pertegaz dies aged 96

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Manuel Pertegaz, the man behind Queen Letizia's wedding dress, has died at the age of 96.

The sought-after Spanish designer, who dressed stars such as Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn and Ava Gardner, passed away in Barcelona on 30 August.

José Ignacio Wert, Spain’s education and culture minister, released a statement in honour of the late fashion maestro, saying that to think of Mr. Pertegaz was "to think of elegance."

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Manuel began his career at the tender age of 13 when he got his first job at a tailors, later opening his own shop in Barcelona at the age of 25.

In 2003 Manuel was asked to design Letizia Ortiz's wedding dress for her marriage to the future king of Spain, Crown Prince Felipe.

The royal bride dazzled in the stunning long-sleeved, ivory wedding gown which was complete with an embroidered open collar and a 14-foot train.

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"I design from the heart," Manuel told the New York Times in 1964s. "One cannot predict fashion. It is youth, with its carefree attitude, that sets the mark."

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