In Memoriam

04.09.13
posted by Gretchen Smelter

Nazan Akyavas, 1959-2013

Nazan Akyavas, 1959-2013
Nazan Akyavas passed away last week--far too early in life--from breast cancer. A dear friend and colleague, Naz (as most knew her) was not only a stellar designer and art director, she was also a talented fine artist like her father, the famous turkish painter Erol Akyavas.
 
I was lucky enough to have Naz on my design team at Brides, where she worked with me for over 4 years as Design Director. Naz breezed through our industry leaving her creative mark on magazines like Breathe, Teen People, Golf & Travel, Working Woman, SmartMoney, Us Magazine--and many others as a freelance designer.

She was an amazing spirit and an incredibly talented designer who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. I am so blessed to have called her a friend.


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  • James Christaldi

    Well, this should teach me not to let so long of time go by between calling old friends. I just called my old buddy Matt today and heard this extremely sad news. I am still in a state of complete shock! Nazan was one of the nicest people I have had the pleasure to know in my life. Beautiful on the inside and out. The world is surely a darker place without her light shining in it. Though she passed in April, finding out now in August feels like she just passed today. So sad!

  • Joseph L Manduzio

    God Bless You Nazan! I can remember all the laughs I had with Nazan and Matt when they were living in Wynnewood Pa. I'll never forget those days. joedozer2003@yahoo.com. Hope to hear from someone from those days!

  • leslie van buskirk

    I was reading the NYTimes today when her picture just stopped me cold. I'd worked with her at US magazine and again at Teen People. Naz was such a bright spirit--so talented, but also so funny and easy to work with. She always had a smile on her face. I'm shocked and sad, but i know that somewhere out there, she's still smiling.

  • amy

    Thank you for posting this Gretchen. I am so glad I got to call her my friend.

  • Yes she was such a light, talent and beauty, we will miss her, this World will miss her. I L Y Nazan

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