Elephant kills designer's husband

MILAN - The husband of Italian fashion designer Anna Molinari has been killed by an elephant in Zimbabwe while on safari, their company Blufin said.

Gianpaolo Tarabini, a regular visitor to Africa, was with a professional hunter and a friend in the Zambezi Valley on Friday when two elephants unexpectedly charged the group and one of them trampled him.

The 67-year-old set up the Blumarine fashion company with Anna Molinari in 1977. The eponymous line, known for its floaty and decorative print dresses, debuted on Milan's catwalks in 1981.

The two then launched their Anna Molinari line, which is now designed by daughter Rossella, in 1995 at the same time as the Blugirl range for teenagers.

Tarabini ran Blufin SpA with their son Gianguido, who is responsible for the licensing part of the business.

Rossella Tarabini has flown to Zimbabwe and is arriving on Sunday, a spokeswoman said.

- REUTERS