Erich Fayer; Owner of Pierre Balmain Fashion House

Erich Fayer, the Canadian owner of the Balmain fashion house. Born in Poland, Fayer, who was believed to be in his 70s, made his fortune after fleeing that country during World War II. Other family members died at the hands of the Nazis. Fayer owned Montreal-based PPCU, or Produits, Parfums et Cosmetiques Ltd., the main shareholder of the Pierre Balmain fashion house. PPCU bought Balmain in 1986, sold it to Alain Chevalier in 1989, then bought it back in 1991, according to a statement by Balmain, whose ready-to-wear labels include Oscar de la Renta for women and Bernard Sanz for men. PPCU also owns Alfin, a New York-based cosmetics firm. In Brussels on Wednesday of a heart attack.