Grief has swept through French cinema and fashion circles following the deaths of well-known producer Nicolas Altmayer and his partner, Mathilde Favier, PR director at Dior Couture, in a road accident in France.

The couple died on Monday afternoon (17/8). According to information released by the Niort prosecutor’s office, their car collided with a lorry travelling in the opposite lane, Le Figaro reports.

Nicolas Altmayer’s presence in the film world

Nicolas Altmayer was 61 and a father of four. Together with his brother, Eric Altmayer, he ran the production company Mandarin, and was behind some of the best-known French film and television productions of recent years.

Although he generally avoided the spotlight, he had financed and produced a string of successful films, including “Brice de Nice” and “OSS 117”, as well as works by François Ozon.

He had also worked on films by Grand Corps Malade, including “Patients”, “Monsieur Aznavour” and “La Vie scolaire”, with the Foenkinos brothers, and with Reem Kherici on “Jour J” and “Chien et Chat”.

His credits also included Bertrand Bonello’s “Saint Laurent”, which was selected to represent France in the race for the Oscars.

He also had a significant presence in television and on streaming platforms, having produced the series “Cœur Noir” for Prime Video, as well as Franck Gastambide’s series “Validé” and “La Cage”.

Speaking after news of his death broke, Gastambide described Altmayer as the man who was the first to believe in him.

Mathilde Favier’s long career at Dior

Mathilde Favier was 56, a mother of two, and one of the best-known figures in French fashion PR.

As PR director at Dior Couture, she had for more than a decade overseen the house’s relationships with celebrities from around the world. Before joining Dior, she had spent 11 years at Prada, having begun her career at Glamour magazine.

Over the course of her career, she had worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest names, styling appearances for stars including Michelle Yeoh, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lawrence and Anya Taylor-Joy.

Favier had also published the book “Mathilde à Paris”, in which she set out her own approach to Parisian style, beauty and wellbeing.

She had also founded the organisation “Esthétique & Cancer”, aimed at supporting people facing cancer and helping to boost their confidence through care and beauty. She had spoken publicly about her own battle with breast cancer.

Delphine Arnault addressed her death, expressing in an internal announcement from the house of Dior her deep sorrow at the loss of Mathilde Favier.

She described her as “an exceptional person”, singling out her infectious joy, optimism, courage, dedication and consistency. “She embodied the Dior woman in a unique way,” she said, adding that “her energy, her smile and her elegance will be greatly missed.”