Jean-Louis Scherrer has died in Paris aged 78 after a lengthy illness. The one-time Dior designer was a talented couturier who worked through the industry's transition from ateliers to ready-to-wear lines in the Sixties

His death was announced today by Chairman of the Chambre Syndicale governing body Didier Grumbach. Scherrer, whose first job was at Christian Dior alongside a young Yves Saint Laurent, launched his own label in 1962. A franchise remains, which produces watches and other accessories.