It's often said that fashion is a game of youth. As the bloggers get younger and the names that fall in and out of favour on the front row look closer in age to Tavi than to Carine Roitfeld, people just as often assume there's no place for the veterans. But no one will ever forget the late, great Anna Piaggi. A regular contributor to Vogue Italia, a well-known face on the fashion circuit and a style icon in her own right she has been called everything from 'a poet with clothes' (Bill Cunningham) to 'a new type of Queen' (WWD).

When she began her career in fashion in the 1960s, Anna's daring way with colour and texture meant she was noticed by some of the biggest names. She began her career editing the Italian women's magazine Arianna, before going on to become the editor of the avant-garde publication Vanity in the 80s. Here, we take a look back at the maverick's eccentric style, all blue hair and walking canes.