Stephany Hollihan
Stephany Hollihan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Stephany Hollihan Vasconez 7 September 1984 Guayaquil, Ecuador |
| Died | 19 August 2026 (aged 41) Samburu County, Kenya |
Cause of death | Helicopter crash |
| Citizenship | Ecuador, United States |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Years active | 1996–2026 |
| Known for | Founder and CEO of Sensi Studio |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Stephany Hollihan Vasconez (7 September 1984 – 19 August 2026) was an Ecuadorian fashion designer who was the founder and CEO of fashion label Sensi Studio. Hollihan died in a helicopter crash along with her husband, government minister Michele Sensi-Contugi, on 19 August 2026 near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, Kenya.[1]
Early life and career
Hollihan was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador on 7 September 1984.[2][3] She attended high school in Germany before studying in Florence, Italy. She later moved to Milan to study fashion design at the Istituto Marangoni. She married Italian-Ecuadorian government minister Michele Sensi-Contugi on 23 May 2008, and had two children.[4][5] After completing her studies, she moved back to Ecuador and founded fashion label Sensi Studio in 2010, a fashion and accessories label that built its identity around local craftsmanship and handmade products. She developed the brand into an internationally visible name. The company sells hats, bags, clothing, totes, jewelery, and other accessories.[6]
She was the godmother of the youngest son of President Daniel Noboa and First Lady Lavinia Valbonesi of Ecuador.[7]
Death
Hollihan was among seven people on board Eurocopter EC130 5Y-GYM on a scenic flight from a wildlife conservancy in Loisaba to the Ewaso Ng'iro river.[8] At approximately 9:13, the aircraft crashed in a difficult-to-access section of Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, Kenya.[9] The helicopter caught on fire and was destroyed.[10] Authorities confirmed all seven occupants were killed on scene.[11]
Ecuador declared three days of national mourning with flags being flown at half-mast for the deaths of Vasconez and her husband.[12] She was 41.
References
- ↑ "Safari helicopter crashes in northern Kenya, killing 7 people, including 5 Americans". Associated Press. 2026-08-19. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ "Fashion Designer and Brand Founder Stephany Hollihan Mourned After She and Husband Killed in Kenya Helicopter Crash". People. 2026-08-20. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ "Lives Lost in Ololokwe Helicopter Crash". Il Messaggero. 2026-08-20. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ "Ecuadorian Designer Stephany Hollihan and Telemundo executive among seven people who died in Kenya: Here's what happened". ¡Hola!. 2026-08-20. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ Rojas, Gisella (April 2024). "De contribuyente en campaña a ministro: Michele Sensi Contugi ocupa varios roles en el Gobierno". Ecuavisa.
- ↑ "Who Was Stephany Hollihan? Meet Sensi Studio Founder & Wife of Ecuador Intelligence Chief Michele Sensi-Contugi Who Died in Kenya Helicopter Crash – Check Her Profession, Education, Children and More". The Sunday Guardian. 2026-08-20. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ Salazar, Andrea (2026-08-20). "Michele Sensi-Contugi, de amigo personal del presidente Noboa a director de Inteligencia". Diario El Mercurio (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ "Ecuador intelligence chief and five Americans killed in Kenya helicopter crash". BBC News. 2026-08-20. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ "Deaths Reported as Helicopter Crashes Near Mt Ololokwe in Samburu". Kenyans.co.ke. 2026-08-19. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ "Breaking: Helicopter Reportedly Crashes Close To Mt.Ololokwe In Samburu". Dawan Africa. 2026-08-19. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ "Kenya: Helicopter crash kills 7, including Ecuador spy boss". Deutsche Welle. 2026-08-19. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
- ↑ "Ecuador declares three days of national mourning for intelligence chief killed in Kenya, flags to fly at half mast". The Eastleigh Voice. 2026-08-20. Retrieved 2026-08-20.