In honor of AIDS Awareness Month this December, we remember some of the fashion greats who were affected by the disease, beginning with Herb Ritts.

Responsible for some of fashion’s most strong and sensual imagery – and also memorable music videos from Madonna’s Cherish to Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game starring Helena Christensen – Ritts’ photography contributed significantly to the 1990s Supermodel era.

He shot editorials for magazines such as Vogue, Interview, and Vanity Fair, and campaigns for Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani, and many more.

HIV/AIDS-related causes were important to him and he was a supporter of key organizations incuding amfAR and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Ritts died on December 26, 2002, but he is not forgotten.