Valerian S. Rybar; Interior Designer for Wealthy Clientele

Valerian S. Rybar, whose work for the wealthiest families in the world gave him a reputation as the world’s most expensive interior designer, has died of prostate cancer.

Rybar was 71 when he died Saturday at his Manhattan home, said his partner, Jean-Francois Daigre.

At his death, Rybar had established an international reputation as the creator of opulent rooms and extravagant party designs.

Rybar’s clients included Nicholas and Genvieve DuPont, Samuel and Mitzi Newhouse, Pierre and Sao Schlumberger, Christina Onassis and Stavros Niarchos.

Commercially, his efforts ranged from exotic gourmet restaurants in Las Vegas to redesigns of New York hotels.

Rybar designed many of the furniture pieces and rugs he used, employing artisans from all over the world. He often chose such opulent fabrics as satins trimmed with gold thread or red velvet.

“He combined taste and drama in a very unique way,” Genvieve DuPont said. “Unlike many designers, Valerian was versatile. He could go from the most lavish and elaborate schemes to something simple and clean-cut.”

Mirrors and steel were Rybar signatures.

“The real luxury today is not that one incredible piece of furniture,” he once said. “It’s perfect cooking and grooming facilities and perfect storage.”

A native of Yugoslavia, Rybar began his career as a trainee at the Lord & Taylor department store in New York. Soon after he quit, he designed a headdress for an opera singer.

Cosmetics company founder Elizabeth Arden saw it and “took him under her wing,” Daigre said.

He stayed at Arden for three years designing shop interiors.