Runaway The Label: Womens fashion brand’s founder and CEO Premal Patel dies at age 47 after ‘brief illness’

The Australian founder of popular fashion brand Runaway The Label has died at the age of 47.

Premal Patel died on Sunday after a brief battle with an undisclosed illness.

News of the designer’s death was posted on the label’s social pages.

“It is with the deepest sadness that Runaway The Label announces the passing of our visionary Founder and CEO, Premal Patel, earlier today at the age of 47,” the post said.

“Prem passed away peacefully following a brief illness.”

The post added: “Prem founded Runaway The Label with a clear vision and values that continue to guide the brand today.

“While the legacy Prem created will live on, the world feels a little less bright without him.”

Mr Patel’s friends and fans of his fashion label shared their grief over his death.

“Can’t believe this. It’s like a bad dream,” media personality Sarah Marie Fahd said.

“Rest in peace dearest Prem. We love you so much and you will be missed not only by us, but by everyone whose life you’ve touched.”

Lana Wilkinson wrote: “Devastating news. Sending so much love to Prem’s family and to the team ❤️”

Social media star Aliie Auton commented: “Such heartbreaking news. Sending love to his family, loved ones and the team.”

MAFS star Tahnee Cook added.: “Absolutely heartbreaking. Sending so much love.”

While Sony Moor said: “Beyond devastating, he was a real visionary.”

Mr Patel’s death comes just over a month after he revealed that he was put into a coma because of vaping.

He shared an image showing him lying in a hospital bed in an intensive care unit, hooked up to breathing apparatus.

“Four weeks ago, I was rushed into ICU with dangerously low oxygen levels. I was mid conversation and literally falling asleep,” he posted with the image.

“My oxygen was so low it wasn’t compatible with life without an external tank keeping me alive.

“I spent a week in hospital with test after test and still no answers.”

Mr Patel said that he left hospital after a week but soon found himself back in ED.

“I discharged myself — and two days later I was back in emergency again,” he said.

“Sent home. Then back in ICU for a third time.

“The third time … I wasn’t so lucky. I was placed into an induced coma with two tubes down into my lungs.

‘I was at 50 per cent oxygen, on super high-flow support. My lungs were so severely inflamed that they couldn’t absorb oxygen. I was actually dying.

“Then they finally found it — vape fluid in my lungs. They blasted my lungs with anti-inflammatory treatment just to keep me breathing.”