"Today, Saturday April 16th 2011, at 8:05 am our dear Dr. Bijan Pakzad passed away peacefully with his family members at his side," said a recorded audio statement prepared by the luxury clothing store Bijan ran in Beverly Hills.

No cause of death was given. But celebrity website TMZ reported that Bijan had suffered a stroke Thursday night and was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Bijan, as he was generally known, was a legend in the fashion and perfume business and designed clothes for movie stars and world leaders.

His clients included presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, actors Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Cruise and Anthony Hopkins, as well as fellow fashion designers Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford and Oscar de la Renta.

His Rodeo Drive boutique is known as the most expensive store in the world.

Bijan came to the United States from Iran in 1973. He is survived by three children from two marriages.