Quentin Griffiths, a co-founder of the online fashion retailer ASOS, has tragically died at the age of 58 after falling from a high-rise condominium in Thailand. As per Forbes, Authorities said Griffiths was found dead on Monday, February 9, after falling from the 17th floor of a building in Pattaya, a city on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast.
BBC, Reuters, and The Guardian reported the news, citing the Royal Thai Police.
An ASOS spokesperson said in a statement published by Sky News, “We’re saddened to hear about the passing of Quentin, one of our original co-founders. He played an important role in Asos’s earliest days, and we’re forever grateful for his contribution. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
The Telegraph reported that Griffiths was a millionaire and a British national.
U.K. Foreign Office Responds
According to police, Griffiths was alone in his apartment at the time. Investigators found no signs of a break-in, and an autopsy showed no indication of foul play, The Guardian reported.
Officials told the BBC that he was discovered outside a luxury hotel where he had been living as a long-term resident in a 17th-floor suite. According to multiple reports, he had been involved in two ongoing court cases that may have contributed to personal stress. The Independent reported that a spokesperson for the U.K. Foreign Office said, “We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Building ASOS Into a Global Fashion Brand
Griffiths launched ASOS in London in 2000 with Andrew Regan, Deborah Thorpe, and Nick Robertson.
The company began under the name “As Seen On Screen,” a nod to its original concept of selling outfits inspired by film and television looks.
In 2002, the business streamlined its identity and rebranded simply as ASOS.
GettyOver the next 20 years, ASOS evolved into a major global e-commerce player in fashion. At one point, the company was valued at more than $8 billion, according to the BBC.
The brand built a strong following among younger shoppers and was worn by high-profile figures such as Rihanna and Bella Hadid.
Griffiths served as the company’s marketing director during its early growth before departing in 2005. He remained one of its notable shareholders for several years after stepping away, Reuters reported.
After leaving ASOS, Griffiths continued to build businesses across multiple industries. He went on to co-found the online furniture platform Achica, the music-driven fashion retailer EBTM, and the ethical clothing website Adili, according to The Guardian.
His death marks the loss of an entrepreneur who played a key role in transforming one of Britain’s most recognizable fashion startups into a global brand.
