Fashion Advocate Anne Tyrrell Remembered

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FRIENDS and colleagues of fashion-industry figure Anne Tyrrell will gather this afternoon to remember her.Tyrrell passed away in February, aged 76, following a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.The former vice chair of the BFC and a visiting professor at the Royal College of Art, Tyrell's contribution to fashion was significant - but it will be her personal presence that colleagues and friends will miss most.

"Anne Tyrrell was a unique advocate for British fashion education, tirelessly developing closer links between our world-class colleges and industry,"Simon Ward, COO of the British Fashion Council, said."A champion for the emerging talent and the future of fashion, her generosity and warmth will be deeply missed."

Tyrrell's work for the Colleges Council, which she chaired twice during her career, saw her help establish many successfuluniversity competitions, open days and seminars, always striving to encourage students to be both creative and commercial.Away from fashion, she and her long-term companion, Paul Mason, enjoyed sailing on the Norfolk Broads and attended many polo matches together at Windsor Great Park.

"Anne was a real enthusiast who believed wholeheartedly in what she did," Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman said today."She was admired and liked throughout the industry and was always interested to learn of new things and encourage new plans."

A memorial service will be held at 2pm this afternoon at St Mary's Chelsea, Cadogan Street, SW3 2QR.