Remembering Régis Pagniez, the Creative Force Behind ELLE's U.S. Legacy

Collaborators and friends pay tribute to the founding editor who helped shape the American fashion landscape.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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When ELLE launched its U.S. edition over 40 years ago, it brought a fresh, Francophile approach to fashion that was spearheaded by founding editor and publication director Régis Pagniez. Pagniez, who passed away earlier this month, was remembered by former colleagues and friends as a soft-spoken leader with incredible design talent who helped disrupt the fashion industry with ELLE's bold and bright editorial.

Why it matters

Régis Pagniez played a pivotal role in establishing ELLE's unique identity and influence in the American fashion landscape. His vision and leadership helped transform the magazine into a trendsetter that championed diversity, effortless style, and a high-low aesthetic that set it apart from its competitors.

The details

When ELLE launched in the U.S. in the 1980s, Pagniez wanted the magazine's style to feel accessible and wearable 'on the street.' He urged models to 'pose like they are in life' and prioritized diversity in casting. Pagniez worked closely with a team of French magazine veterans, including ELLE's international creative director and head photographer Gilles Bensimon, to feature fresh-faced supermodels like Cindy Crawford, Veronica Webb, and Naomi Campbell on the magazine's indelible covers.

  • ELLE's U.S. edition launched over 40 years ago.
  • Régis Pagniez passed away earlier this month.

The players

Régis Pagniez

The founding editor and publication director of ELLE's U.S. edition, who was remembered by former colleagues and friends as a soft-spoken leader with incredible design talent who helped disrupt the fashion industry.

Gilles Bensimon

ELLE's international creative director and head photographer, who worked closely with Pagniez and said he 'learned a lot' from him.

Nina Garcia

The current editor-in-chief of ELLE, who said Pagniez's 'legacy is our legacy.'

Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele

A legendary stylist and frequent ELLE contributor who memorialized Pagniez on social media.

Jeff Dunas

A photographer who recalled Pagniez as a mentor, describing him as 'soft-spoken' and 'always smiling' with 'a great sense of humor.'

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What they’re saying

“His legacy is our legacy.”

— Nina Garcia, ELLE editor-in-chief (ELLE)

“I learned a lot from Régis. I brought something but he brought the other part.”

— Gilles Bensimon, ELLE international creative director and head photographer (Alain Elkann Interview)

“Pagniez was soft-spoken, was always smiling and had a great sense of humor. He made it all look easy because he had incredible design talent.”

— Jeff Dunas, Photographer (Instagram)

“He was instrumental in disrupting fashion with great bright and bold editorial that made the other magazines tremble.”

— Lisa Kauffmann, Model (Instagram)

The takeaway

Régis Pagniez's vision and leadership were instrumental in shaping ELLE's unique identity and influence in the American fashion landscape. His commitment to diversity, effortless style, and a high-low aesthetic helped disrupt the industry and set the magazine apart as a trendsetter that championed a fresh, Francophile approach to fashion.