Bijan Pakzad, an Iranian-American jewelry, fragrance, and
luxury menswear designer, died April 16 in Los Angeles, Calif.

According to The Los Angeles Times, there is dispute over
his age, but public records listed it as 71. He was hospitalized after
suffering a stroke April 14 but did not recover.

Pakzad was born in Iran to a prominent family and attended
school in Switzerland and Italy before moving to United States in the early
1970s. He opened House of Bijan, a appointment-only boutique in Beverly Hills,
in 1976.

Among his most popular designs was an 18-karat gold limited
edition 200 Colt. Special .38 revolver with a navy Napa leather hand grip.
Housed in a mink pouch and signed by Bijan, the design was popular among Royal
families around the world. Sotheby’s London sold No. 16 for $235,000.

Sales of his custom jewelry, fragrance and clothing lines
reportedly totaled more than $70 million annually in 2003.

He is survived by his three children, three brothers, one
sister, a grandchild, and his longtime girlfriend.

An online guestbook can be seen here.

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