Melbourne fashion icon Shiva Singam died on Saturday at age 50.
The popular fashionista, who worked as the head of partnerships at the Melbourne Fashion Festival, passed away due to a suspected health complication.
His sister Janee shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, alongside a beaming photo of Shiva posing up a storm.
‘It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our son, brother, uncle, cousin and dear friend, Shiva,’ she began.
‘Shiva was a captivating, fun loving, intelligent, and thoughtful man. He touched so many lives with his magnetic personality and generous spirit.
‘He leaves behind thousands of friends who remember his kindness, big heart, humour, and incredible fashion style,’ she continued.
‘We are so grateful he was surrounded by loyal and loving friends to this day, and we know you were the constant source of strength, love, laughter and inspiration in his life.
‘We will provide further information to celebrate Shiva’s life in the next few days,’ she added.
Many of Singam’s celebrity pals were quick to pay tribute to their dear friend.
Neighbours star Sharon Johal said she and husband Ankur have been in tears since discovering the sad news.
‘I don’t think I’ll ever find the words to say. Anks and I are in still in disbelief and the tears, sadness and pits in our stomachs are not going anywhere, anytime soon,’ she wrote on Instagram.
‘Shiva, you are a one of a kind personality, an icon in the fashion space, the life of EVERY party, the most entertaining drama Queen/Count, but most importantly, an incredibly generous and caring brother, son, and our great friend.
‘The world is not the same without you my friend, and every heart you have touched will carry a hole forever. We have all lost a piece of us. Your presence and aura was magnificent and will never be forgotten. Every party I will be looking for you, and you will always be there, ever-present and unwavering, reminding us all to live life to the fullest, just as you did. You will always be remembered,’ she continued.
Sharon’s post was followed by touching tributes from Alex Pike, The Block’s Tanya Guccione and The Bachelorette’s Lee Elliott and Socialite Olivia Molly Rogers.
Bec Judd also offered kind words on the social media platform.
‘Just the loveliest person ever,’ she wrote on Instagram.
‘Always with the biggest, warmest, most genuine smile. RIP Shiva,’ she continued alongside a red love heart emoji.
Meanwhile Nadia Bartel told the Herald Sun he was a ‘special person’.
‘He would always make an effort to chat to you and lift you up with a big smile on his face,’ she said. ‘He was the nicest man.’
Singan was affectionately known as Count Shiva in the Melbourne social scene and his cutting edge fashion sense never failed to turn heads.
