The man responsible for building the Ed Hardy empire, Christian Audigier, has died at the age of 57.

TMZ reported back in Febuary that the fashion designer was diagnosed with MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome), the same blood cancer that plagued Good Morning America host Robin Roberts. He was undergoing chemotherapy until he received a bone marrow transplant on March 19.

His longtime publicist, Michele Elyzabeth, confirmed the news to LATF, saying, "I just heard the news and I am truly devastated. Christian was an incredibly brilliant man. He will be missed."

The French fashion mogul was known for introducing the world to Von Dutch trucker hats and skull-filled Ed Hardy apparel and accessories worn by celebrities like Ashton Kutcher, Paris Hilton, Madonna and more.

Audigier later sold the company to Iconix Brand Group Inc. for $62 million.