Telegraph bids farewell to UK's leading fashion journalist

One of Britain's leading fashion journalists has been honoured by the British Fashion industry for her 26 years as Fashion Director of The Daily Telegraph as she retires at the age of 65. Alexander's send-off drew an impressive guest list

of fashion's glitterati all keen to pay their respects to the legend who has lit up the British Fashion world. Designers including Vivienne Westwood, Sarah Burton, Jasper Conran, Roland Mouret, Giles Deacon, Matthew Williamson, Margaret Howell, David Koma, Holly Fulton and Betty Jackson, to name but a few.

Harold Tilman CBE, chairman of the British Fashion Council led the moving tributes, talking about Hilary's legacy and how she has tirelessly worked to promote the fashion industry, not just in Britain, but all around the world. Hilary's great friend, International Herald Tribune fashion editor, Suzy Menkes, recalled a lifetime in fashion side-by-side with her fellow old-school hack, elbowing their way through the crowds to always get the story; and the Daily Telegraph's editor Tony Gallagher thanked Hilary for her outstanding 26 year contribution to Telegraph before introducing a tribute film compiled by the British Fashion Council.

Hansom Hall at the recently re-opened St Pancras Renaissance Hotel was decorated in honour of Hilary by Andrew Martin, with table displays festooned with archeological and tribal objects from around the world, dotted with alien masks wearing hats by Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones and jewellery by Pebble. On the bookshelves and tables were over 150 photographs of Hilary throughout her illustrious career, framed courtesy of Marks and Spencer, and a stunning cake topped with fashionable figures, kindly donated by Eric Lanlard and Harrods.

One of the night's main talking points was the 'mini Hilary' doll sat atop a bar stool, glass of wine in hand, cigarette on the go, loaned by boutique Matches.

England's old-fashioned compulsory retirement law, says that if you are on a pension scheme, you can’t work full time after the age of 65. Alexander will still be writing a page a month for the publication for at least a year, and her predecessor is Lisa Armstrong, former fashion editor of The Times.

Image: Hilary Alexander