She was typically seen as a speaking head on programmes similar to The Garments Present, GMTV, Lorraine and Strictly Come Dancing: Take Two – she confided to Telegraph readers that Bruno Tonioli spent longer in make-up than any of the feminine dancers – and for a time was a decide and stylist on Britain’s Subsequent High Mannequin. She styled innumerable trend reveals for charity.
She was among the many least useless of fashionistas and would fortunately present accounts of her trend disasters, together with her first expertise of a twig tan: she was advised to not bathe for some hours afterwards, however wanted to clear the gunk out of her hair earlier than a dinner engagement.
“I … managed to scrub my hair over the aspect of the bathtub, releasing a gush of mud-coloured dye, which trickled down my cleavage, staining my coronary heart surgical procedure scar the color of mahogany; very enticing. Now my hair was clear, however my face was a pale orange. I had a curious tidemark round my neck, and my unwashed ft had been beginning to look as in the event that they belonged to David Dickinson.”
Hilary Alexander was promoted to director of trend on the Telegraph in 2003, the 12 months wherein she was named Journalist of the Yr on the British Style Awards for the second time, and retired in 2011. She by no means misplaced her astonishment that an extraordinary lady from New Zealand ought to have been granted such a life, and remained dedicated to the Telegraph: she insisted on having a replica delivered to her as regular on what proved to be the final day of her life as she awaited a significant operation.
Hilary Alexander was unforthcoming about her early romantic life, however was thought to have been married and divorced not less than twice earlier than she was 40. Thereafter, her mates attested, her devotion to her work left her no time for relationships. She was appointed OBE in 2013.
Hilary Alexander, born February 5 1946, died February 5 2023
