Yesterday, the fashion world mourned the death of Anna Piaggi – a renowned fashion writer who embodied the height of glamorous eccentricity. Her contribution to fashion was of astronomical proportions; she understood the intricacies and subtleties of it like no one else, whilst her eclecticism and exuberant dress sense reflected her passion for unique expression.

She contributed to many of the leading Italian fashion publications, but she was most famous for her double page spreads in Vogue Italia, packed with artistic flair and innovation; filled with fantastical vision in a montage of images and text. Her writing and editorial proficiency was not the only thing that gave her a spot in the lime light – The V&A museum once had an exhibition celebrating her style, exhibiting her personal exquisite vintage couture collection and over 200 pairs of bespoke shoes.

A muse to many fashion titans, such as Karl Lagerfeld, Manolo Blahnik (who made many of her shoes) and British milliner Stephen Jones and an inspiration to the likes of Dita von Teese, Piaggi was second to none. Blahnik said she was “the world’s last great authority on frocks.”  And he is right. There are not many who carry off the outlandish with elegance and authority, but Paiggi did it all. So here is to the writer, the creative, the legend.