A Dior executive and her film producer partner were killed in a head-on car crash in France.<\/p>\n
Mathilde Favier, 57, and beloved French movie producer Nicolas Altmayer, 61, died in the collision near the commune of Airvault in western France on Monday afternoon, French outlet La Figaro reported.<\/a><\/p>\n Favier and Altmayer\u2019s Austin Mini car \u201chit a heavy goods vehicle traveling in the opposite direction while they were overtaking another vehicle,\u201d Nicolas Leclainche, the Niort deputy prosecutor, said as he confirmed a manslaughter investigation had been launched.<\/p>\n Mathilde Favier with her partner Nicolas Altmayer at a red carpet event. Best Image \/ BACKGRID<\/p>\n The couple was heading to \u00cele de R\u00e9 \u2013 an island known for its salt marshes, located off the west coast of France, where Favier had a home.<\/p>\n Favier, a mother of two, was once labeled the<\/a> \u201cbest connected woman in Paris\u201d by the Times of London, and she previously worked for Prada, Chanel and Glamour magazine before joining Dior in 2011.<\/p>\n \u201cMathilde loved life with a passion,\u201d Delphine Arnault, the CEO and chairperson\u00a0of Christian Dior Couture, said in a statement<\/a> shared Tuesday.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the passing of Mathilde, Dior is losing an incredible professional, and I have lost a loyal friend. Her optimism and courage commanded admiration.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe will sorely miss her smile and her talent. I feel deeply saddened today; my thoughts are very much with her children, her mother, her sisters, her family, her many friends and her team she loved so much.\u201d<\/p>\n Favier was described as an \u2018exceptional woman\u2019 by the brand. Best Image \/ BACKGRID<\/p>\n Favier \u201cmade an incredible contribution to the reputation of Christian Dior Couture through her commitment and elegance,\u201d the fashion house said.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was an exceptional woman whose communicative joy, talent and loyalty were exemplary.\u201d<\/p>\n Favier shared her adult kids, 27-year-old H\u00e9lo\u00efse and 25-year-old Carlo, with the billionaire Robert Agostinelli, who co-founded the private equity firm Rh\u00f4ne Group.<\/p>\n