The Countess Jacqueline de Ribes died in a hospital in Switzerland on Tuesday, December 30, at the age of 96. The news was confirmed by Francoise Dumas, a friend and events organiser for the iconic fashion designer, who was one of the real-life "Swans" written about by author Truman Capote. His relationship with the group of glamorous, wealthy socialites and fashion icons was examined in Ryan Murphy's hit mini-series Feud: Capote vs. The Swans. However, while Jacqueline was one of the group that inspired the show, and was a guest at his legendary Black and White Ball, she did not feature as a central figure in it. According to British Vogue, the iconic socialite was also an inspiration for Joan Collins' Dynasty character, Alexis Carrington Colby Dexter.

She moved in showbiz circles as well as high society and was often photographed candidly with the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Olivia de Havilland. Although she went on to win acclaim as a designer, she didn't come to the profession until 1982. Following her 53rd birthday, she announced to family and friends she was going into the business.

"When I started my business, everyone thought I was doing it for a lark, or that Saint Laurent, or who knows who, was doing it for me," she told The Times. "But I'll tell you something. I wouldn't be doing this at all if I weren't in it 100 percent."

Her first collection was initially unveiled in March 1983 at her family's Parisian townhouse, with The New York Times describing it as an "unexpected success."

Described as "a couture collection of after-five clothes for the American market," the line made its official debut six days later at New York's Regency Hotel.

Explaining why she chose America to launch her new career, she said: "Every designer offers a personality and a style. Mine is simplicity and sophistication, and I think Americans will appreciate that. They've always been very nice to me," she told WWD.

Tributes flooded in as the news of her death broke. "If you ask me, what society swan had always fascinated me the most? It is no one but Jacqueline de Ribes," one wrote on Facebook. "Jacqueline De Ribes Truly the definition of perfection," another added.

A third chimed in: "Jacqueline de Ribes wasn't just born into French aristocracy - she created her own place in fashion history.
What makes her story special is how humble her path was: no chasing the spotlight, no loud fame - just pure passion for beauty and self-expression."

A fourth penned: "She was impossibly elegant! She didn't have a stylist! She was style personified!" A fifth shared: "Jacqueline De Ribes was the epitome of chic. May she rest in peace."

Meanwhile, a sixth commented: "RIP Jacqueline de Ribes. The Last Queen of Paris. For twelve years, de Ribes created ready-to-wear collections attracting international clients like Joan Collins, Olympia de Rothschild, Baroness Von Thyssen, and Marie Hélène de Rothschild."