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Anne Tyrrell was an extraordinary lady. A one off, she radiated encouragement wherever she went, leaving everyone she met feeling the better for their encounter with her. When I sent an email to her many friends and colleagues amongst the British Fashion Council’s network, notifying them of the sad news of Anne’s passing, the replies just kept on coming. Their message was consistent. Anne had had an enormous influence on so many individual lives and was widely respected and loved across an industry not renowned for such attributes. Yet, there was nothing fluffy about Anne. She had the tenacity of a bulldog and, on many occasions, drove me quite mad as she exercised her quiet determination to ensure that something close to her heart happened. A summary of the initiatives, events and competitions she personally established, negotiated and helped deliver under the auspices of the BFC, is set out inside the back cover. How Anne ever found time to lecture at the Royal College and be a regular contributor to Creative Skillset’s activities, let alone run her own business, is quite beyond me.
When, frequently, I scolded her for trying to do too much, she smiled, quietly changed the subject and carried on regardless. So very Anne! In small recognition of Anne’s incomparable contribution to the BFC and the industry, we have identified one of her unstoppable passions, and will be naming after Anne the annual seminar she instituted to stimulate greater interest in technical skills. The first Anne Tyrrell Seminar for Creative Pattern Cutting will be held in November 2015. Anne’s indomitable spirit and commitment to the future of British fashion talent was illustrated, just a few days before she died, when she spent a whole day at Somerset House, wading through portfolios, as she carried out the preliminary judging for a competition she had personally established with Burberry. There were 198 entries. Did she waver? Not once. Anne, thank you.
SIMON WARD CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL
A dynamic and inspiring woman with boundless enthusiasm, warmth, humour and incredible style is how I will always remember Anne. I first met Anne in 1998, but it was only in the last 6 years that I had the absolute pleasure of working closely with her on the British Fashion Council’s Advisory Board and Colleges Council. Her hunger for supporting young talent, skills, training and education are unrivalled. She was tough on standards and wasn’t afraid to feedback to colleges when she felt that their students applications for competitions weren’t good enough. Anne always took personally the colleges’ commitment to participating in Colleges Council competitions and Graduate Preview Days, as she believed them incredible opportunities to get portfolios, work and students directly in front of brands and their Creative Directors. For all design competitions, Anne was always interested in the design approach and process each student would take – her eyes would light up when a young person would talk about how they approached their work on the stand, draping, developing and honing the concepts that came out of their research.
She was truly happy when she helped designers and students to learn the skills – her most treasured being the art of creative pattern cutting which she worried is a decreasing art, but ultimately necessary. In this respect, her ‘grand master’ was Antony Price for whom she had the greatest respect and spoke of often and fondly. I, like many others, miss Anne very much. Her smile, charm, laugh and wit always made events welcoming and great fun. I will treasure her letters, which within hours of events and announcements must have been either hand written or dictated, congratulating us on our achievements with a shared pride of the industry which we work in and the talent we see go on to succeed. She was and is greatly loved. Her determination through her illness made her even more of an inspiration to us all. The BFC Colleges Council will always be associated with Anne, her work and her enormous heart.
CAROLINE RUSH CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL
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PROFESSOR WENDY DAGWORTHY OBE FORMER MEMBER OF THE BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL & DEAN PROFESSOR, ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART
JUNE LAWLOR CEO, JUNE LAWLOR ASSOCIATES
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HAROLD TILLMAN CBE FORMER CHAIRMAN, BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL
BRIAN KIRKBY CO-FOUNDER, BOUDICCA
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ELINOR RENFREW ASSOCIATE HEAD OF DESIGN SCHOOL & COURSE DIRECTOR BA FASHION, KINGSTON UNIVERSITY
SARAH MOWER, MBE AMBASSADOR FOR EMERGING TALENT, BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL & EUROPEAN EDITOR AT LARGE/ CONTRIBUTOR, VOGUE.COM US
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CLARA MERCER HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS, BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL
ANNA ORSINI STRATEGIC CONSULTANT, BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL
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I WILL MISS HER AND HER REMARKABLE KNOWLEDGE AND ENERGY. ANNA HARVEY VICE PRESIDENT & SENIOR EDITOR, BRAND DEVELOPMENT CONDÉ NAST NEW MARKETS
I LOVED ANNE FOR HER WISDOM, HER ENTHUSIASM, HER RIGOUR AND HER IMPECCABLE MANNERS! I LOVED THAT SHE CARED SO PASSIONATELY FOR ALL THINGS CREATIVE AND WAS ALWAYS SO GENEROUS WITH HER KNOWLEDGE AND TIME. I LOVED HER DISCRETION AND HER WICKED SENSE OF HUMOUR. I LOVED THAT SHE COULD BE SO FEARSOME AND SO KIND IN ALMOST THE SAME MOMENT. I LOVED HER ABILITY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER WITHOUT CONFLICT. AND I LOVED HER IN HER ‘MADE TO MEASURE’ BRIGHT PINK BURBERRY TRENCH COAT, WALKING INTO A ROOM AND SAYING - ‘AMAAAZING’!! BETTY JACKSON CBE
ANNE WAS CLEVER, CURIOUS AND FULL OF LIFE. HER BELIEF AND EXCITEMENT IN NURTURING YOUNG, RAW TALENT AND HER SEEMINGLY NEVER ENDING DEEP LOVE FOR FASHION, TEXTILES AND THE INDUSTRY WAS UNCONDITIONAL AND A JOY TO BE A PART OF. NEVER EVER THE DIVA DESPITE THE LOOKS AND ELEGANCE OF A GREAT BRITISH MOVIE STAR – SHE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL OF US LUCKY ENOUGH TO CALL HER OUR FRIEND. CHRISTOPHER BAILEY MBE CREATIVE DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BURBERRY
My relationship with Anne Tyrrell was lovely. Her affection and friendliness felt exclusive – but it was anything but. That’s just who she was; her personal and professional kindness encompassed all. And her love for her work and colleagues knew no bounds. To say there were no flies on Anne is an understatement; she noticed every last detail. Her contribution to the British fashion industry and its educational system was unparalleled. She dedicated her life to it with such passion and determination that any result stemming from Anne’s touch was immeasurably beneficial. You couldn’t list the amount of people she helped to realise their potential. She was an irreplaceable treasure.
One time, I suggested to Anne that I thought it would be a great idea to do a student design-competition with Burberry. Of course, Anne was one step ahead; very soon after we were sending the brief to the colleges. I panicked when we received 198 entries, but, Anne being Anne, was absolutely thrilled! That was just one of many examples of her unrelenting commitment and genuine support to the industry and its rising stars. Anne, I never got the chance to thank you. I’ve learnt so much and you gave me a lot of confidence. You were glamorous until the end and will be truly missed.
INDIA USHER SENIOR EDUCATION CO-ORDINATOR, BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL
It was 20 years ago this summer that I had the privilege of being introduced to Anne. She was the external examiner for my final collection when I was studying at Kingston University. It was through that first introduction that she presented me with the opportunity of my very first job, as an assistant designer to Sara Sturgeon. Anne being the insightful and discerning creative that she was, made a great match and I was very happy to work alongside her on a number of occasions throughout my time at the company. Over the years Anne was always the first person that I would go to, to seek advice and guidance when it came to career decisions. Since our first meeting she has remained a key voice not only to myself but to so many colleagues, friends, students and creatives who had the pleasure of meeting her.
She was a great encourager and her warmth and enthusiasm was a quality that marked her out in an industry which is often too quick to look to the next new thing. On many occasions when faced with a crossroads in my career, Anne always made time to listen and advise. More recently I had the pleasure of working with Anne at some of the British Fashion Colleges Council seminars. Right to the very end Anne continued to create opportunities to promote and harness knowledge for coming generations in the industry. She will be missed by so many and her generosity was far reaching. I would like to extend my personal sympathies to Paul and Anne’s family at this sad time. But am grateful that I have had the opportunity of knowing Anne.
Anne was characterised by her appreciation for the Arts but more importantly her faith in individuals and her ability in capturing, acknowledging and always identifying the best in people.
DANIEL BLAKE CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DANIEL BLAKE & LECTURER, LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION
The first time I met Anne was when I attended my first Creative Skill Set Tick Panel meeting. Aside from her incredible wealth of industry knowledge, what struck me about Anne was her incredible poise. I don’t think I have ever applied the title: ‘Lady’ to anyone I’ve met in the industry (aside from Betty Jackson), but Anne was a real lady in every sense of the word. After that first encounter I began to see Anne more regularly throughout our panel and council work with Creative Skill Set, and I got to know her better. Anne was everywhere. Encouraging us to judge the winner of the Texprint prize whilst I was at Roland Mouret, or bumping into Anne whilst we were galloping through Hall 5/6 at premiere Vision on the way to respective appointments with mills.
I always admired Anne’s dynamism and energy. We began working at her home on a Skills day for the BFC. Our last meeting was September 2014 and even through illness, she never lost her sense of purpose within the industry. I will miss you Anne. For your poise, your energy, your knowledge, the industry anecdotes and your friendship. With your passing we have lost our First Lady.
DALIAH SIMBLE DALIAH SIMBLE FASHION CONSULTANCY
Anne and I met in March 1999. I had been invited to join the board of the British Fashion Council and, having enthusiastically accepted, I found myself a little intimidated at the prospect of my first meeting. I needn’t have worried in the least. Within minutes Anne took me under her wing and thus began a friendship that was to last sixteen happy years. Although she was the soul of discretion, as we got to know each other many confidences were shared. Such were Anne’s connections in the fashion world, she often found herself in possession of sensitive information however, knowing I worked on the London Evening Standard (a paper she read avidly), any discussion of these matters would be invariably prefaced with the words “Now Maurice, this isn’t for publication!.” At every industry gathering, and there were many, I’d always make a beeline for Anne across the room – she was never difficult to spot on account of her magnificent mane of silver hair – and it was a delight on these occasions to listen as she entertained friends and colleagues and made countless introductions.
Her networking skills were legendary but never seemed at all overt or contrived, she simply had a knack for cleverly connecting people. The phrase ‘socially adept’ could have been coined for her. During a private reception at the British Fashion Awards in 2001 we were engrossed in conversation about some intricacy of her Bellville Sassoon evening gown when almost out of the blue we were approached by the Prince of Wales. In an instant, and without missing a beat, Anne had executed a perfect curtsey and was engaged with His Royal Highness in an animated conversation about the location of the event, the quality of the nominees and, of course, how delighted we all were to have him as our Guest of Honour! It was typical of the Anne I knew that, despite the seriousness of her illness, she continued her involvement of the fashion circuit until it was impossible for her to continue. She was a talented businesswoman, a gifted teacher and a dear and trusted friend whose memory I shall treasure always.
MAURICE MULLEN HE AD OF FASHION & LUXURY GOODS, LONDON E VENING STANDARD
IMPRESSED WITH HER PASSION TO GIVE BACK AND HER KIND PERSONALITY. MICHELLE DE CONTO BUSINESS SUPPORT ADVISOR, BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL
I KNOW SHE WAS INSIGHTFUL AND VERY THOROUGH WHEN INTERVIEWING MY STUDENTS FOR THE RECENT BFC UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS. THEY SPOKE OF HOW THEY APPRECIATED HER ADVICE. SHE HAS BEEN A STALWART AND INSPIRATIONAL LIGHT FOR THE FASHION INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN AND PARTICULARLY TOWARDS EDUCATION. WILLIE WALTERS COURSE DIRECTOR BA FASHION, CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS
THE BREADTH OF THE INFLUENCE AND SUPPORT SHE GAVE WAS JUST INCREDIBLE. SHE NEVER EVER SAID A BAD WORD ABOUT ANYONE, WAS ALWAYS SO ENCOURAGING TO EVERYONE AND ABOUT EVERYTHING. MOST OF ALL I’LL MISS HANGING OUT WITH HER AT LONDON FASHION WEEK, IT WAS ALWAYS SUCH A GIGGLE. JUDITH ROSSER-DAVIES HEAD OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & EDUCATION, BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL
SHE WAS THE WARMEST AND MOST GENEROUS WOMAN. ANYA HINDMARCH MBE CHAIRMAN & CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, ANYA HINDMARCH
I can’t remember the first time I met Anne. She just always seemed to be there. At any British Fashion Council event, or fashion show, or PR jaunt, there would be Anne with her perfect hair and perfect nails and perfect sense of style. Anne has supported the British Fashion industry in so many ways, but particularly by encouraging young talent. Through her knowledge and contacts, we have worked with the BFC to create an annual competition for graduates, giving them the opportunity for paid internships. Anne championed this, and we will continue to run it, despite the fact that we will miss her discerning eye on the judging panel.
Perhaps because of her interest in young talent, and her overwhelming love of fashion, Anne never acted her age – she already knew the new cool designer that everyone was talking about or the hot stylist fresh out of college. She was the font of all fashion knowledge, and her enthusiasm and sense of fun brought us all along with her. I will miss most our early morning power breakfasts – a poached egg on toast and a gossip with Anne was the perfect start to any day.
DEBORAH BEE DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE MARKETING, HARRODS
A GREAT LOSS TO ALL OF US. SHE WILL BE VERY MUCH MISSED. DONNA IVES COURSE LEADER BA FASHION DESIGN, UCA ROCHESTER
ANNE WAS ALWAYS SO LOVELY AND KIND TO ME WHEN I FIRST STARTED HELPING IN THE BUYERS’ LOUNGE AT LONDON FASHION WEEK. IT WON’T BE THE SAME WITHOUT HER. SUE PARK REGISTRATION MANAGER, BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL
SHE WAS AN AMAZING LADY. I WORKED WITH HER A LONG TIME AGO AND THEN GOT IN TOUCH AGAIN WITH THE COLLEGE COUNCIL. HER PASSION TO BOTH EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY WERE TWO FOLD REALISING EARLY ON THAT EACH FEEDS THE OTHER AND THIS MADE A REAL CONTRIBUTION TO STUDENTS AND GENERATIONS OF DESIGNERS. TO HAVE WORKED WITH ANNE TYRELL MEANT SOMETHING BOTH IN INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION. SHE WILL BE REMEMBERED. JULES FINDLEY ACADEMIC PROGRAMME LEADER IN FASHION & TEXTILES, UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON
SHE WILL BE SORELY MISSED. JAKKI PAY DIRECTOR OF DESIGN WOMENSWEAR, HOUSE OF FRASER
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When I first met Anne at the first BFC Graduate Preview day we were invited to. She had never met me or knew the work we produced. But from that moment she got my vision and clearly understood everything. It was I like I didn’t have to try to make her see the students beauty she just saw it all with her all-encompassing vision. Anne then became like a fairy godmother to me and the course Fashion Image Making and Styling. Without her unwavering support of us, we could never have grown into what we are today! Just knowing that she believed in us here from day one was all I needed. And that belief made others believe in us and people took the time to look at what we did and do, all because of ANNE!
She was the first person to call us PROGRESSIVE and I use that word all the while and I hear her saying it every time. She was my guardian angel giving me the strength to be creative with my students. Through the BFC and Anne’s support we were and are able to be free with our ideas and image making because Anne championed us and encouraged creativity. She is and always will be wrapped up in what we do, and she lives on through me, my students and the course. I just hope that I can somehow do as much good as she did in her lifetime, with no agenda and egoless dedication. We will live on being forever blessed having known her.
CHRISTINE RATCLIFF PATHWAY LEADER FASHION IMAGE MAKING & STYLING, UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
Anne will be terribly missed by us all at Creative Skillset. Anne has been the lynchpin of so many good education initiatives, it is hard to know where to start to adequately describe the fantastic contribution that she has made to skills development for the fashion industry. Not only did Anne make the contacts, encourage senior colleagues to engage with projects and ensure the right people were in place to take things forward, she never shied away from the hard, complicated work behind the scenes. The parts of building something that most people cannot face, and often struggle to make time for. Anne threw herself enthusiastically into all aspects,
achieving high profile successes and we cannot thank her enough. Not only from our perspective but those of all the students, graduates, interns, tutors and others whose lives have been changed, and careers enhanced by the energy, passion and focus of this amazing lady. Always helpful and encouraging, Anne supported us all to do well. Sophisticated, elegant, warm and with a delightful sense of fun Anne lit up every room that she entered. We have all learned so much from Anne and all that we take forward will be the better for her creativity and commitment. We send our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends.
JAYNE WEST PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER – FASHION TEXTILES, CREATIVE SKILLSET
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I AM VERY SORRY TO HEAR THE NEWS ABOUT ANNE TYRRELL. I INTERNED FOR ANNE WHILST AT HARROW IN THE LATE 80’S AND SHE WAS A WONDERFUL WOMAN. KAREN RYAN SENIOR LECTURER - BA (HONS) FASHION, ARTS UNIVERSITY BOURNEMOUTH
I AM DEEPLY, DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE NEWS OF ANNE’S PASSING. SHE WILL BE SORELY MISSED. THOMASS ATKINSON HEAD OF SCHOOL FASHION, UNIVERSITY OF CREATIVE ARTS
ANNE HAS BEEN AN AMAZING SUPPORT TO US OVER THE YEARS. WE WILL REALLY MISS HER. SHE LEAVES A LASTING LEGACY IN THE NUMBER OF CAREERS SHE HAS LAUNCHED AND THE MANY FASHION COURSES SHE HELPED SHAPE. WHAT A SAD LOSS. JO JENKINSON PRINCIPAL LECTURER FASHION, MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
ANNE WAS A LOVELY, WARM PERSON AND MADE SUCH A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE FASHION INDUSTRY. TANIA LITTLEHALES HEAD OF PRODUCT, MARKS & SPENCER
Anne really was the most remarkable, positive, encouraging and charming person and I feel honoured and privileged to have known her over the last 20 years. I can still clearly remember meeting her when I was a student studying at Central Saint Martins on the MA Fashion Design course and she was so supportive and encouraging back then, almost 20 years ago, just as much as she has been over the years when I started teaching and then running fashion at Westminster. Anne was fantastic at making you want to get involved in something and to make things happen. I can’t think of anyone with as much energy and passion as Anne had, she was remarkable in how she was able to inspire students, designers and teachers over so many years.
Not only through all the work that she did with the BFC, with Skillset, and Colleges Council, but also the countless examples of the private support and encouragement she gave to both students and tutors over many, many years. Anne seemed to be at the centre of so many peoples careers in the fashion industry. Either as their tutor at the beginning of their fashion education or later on as they rose through the fashion industry. Anne was the person that when it came to the students final collections I always wanted to hear her feedback, ask her advice, and know what she thought of the students work. She was never anything but honest, forthright and supportive. Anne really has made the most enormous difference not only to both the fashion industry and to fashion education, but also to so many people on a very personal level. I’m really going to miss her.
At lunch last month at Westminster the whole team was reminiscing each with our own stories of how much Anne had supported and encouraged us all.
ANDREW GROVES COURSE DIRECTOR FASHION, UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER
ANNE TYRRELL BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL TIMELINE 1992 – 2000 ANNE TYRRELL CHAIRMAN, COLLEGES COUNCIL 2000 – 2007 ANNE TYRRELL VICE CHAIRMAN, BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL 2007 – 2015
ANNE TYRRELL CHAIRMAN, COLLEGES COUNCIL
BFC COLLEGES COUNCIL TIMELINE 1990 AWARDED MBE BY HM THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE FASHION INDUSTRY 1992
BFC COLLEGES FORUM ESTABLISHED
1993
INAUGURAL COLLEGES FORUM OPEN DAY
1994 – 2000
COLLEGES FORUM OPEN DAY
2001 THE FIRST CREATIVE PATTERN CUTTING SEMINAR ARIEL COMPETITION BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL TOPSHOP & ELLE STUDENT DESIGN AWARD COLLEGES FORUM OPEN DAY
2004
REISS COMPETITION TESCO COMPETITION COLLEGES FORUM OPEN DAY
2005 2006
MULBERRY COMPETITION COLLEGES FORUM OPEN DAY COLLEGES FORUM OPEN DAY
2007 NAME CHANGE FROM ‘COLLEGES FORUM’ TO THE ‘BFC COLLEGES COUNCIL’ COLLEGES COUNCIL LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION COLLEGES FORUM OPEN DAY
2002 ARIEL COMPETITION TESCO COMPETITION INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR YOUNG DESIGNERS FAD COMPETITION FCUK COMPETITION COLLEGES FORUM OPEN DAY
2008 2009
GFW CREATIVE CUTTING AWARD COLLEGES FORUM OPEN DAY FIRST HEADS OF COURSE SEMINAR MAXMARA COMPETITION COLLEGES FORUM OPEN DAY FIRST WAREHOUSE COMPETITION NAME CHANGE TO ‘GRADUATE PREVIEW DAY’ CREATIVE PATTERN CUTTING SCHOLARSHIP GRADUATE PREVIEW DAY
2003 ADIDAS COMPETITION BUTLINS COMPETITION TESCO COMPETITION COTTON COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL TURNON AWARD COLLEGES FORUM OPEN DAY
2010
BURBERRY COMPETITION PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND COMPETITION HARRODS HEADS OF COURSE SEMINAR WAREHOUSE COMPETITION GRADUATE PREVIEW DAY
2011
ADIDAS COMPETITION BURBERRY COMPETITION HARRODS COMPETITION NEIL BARRETT COMPETITION WAREHOUSE COMPETITION HARRODS HEADS OF COURSE SEMINAR GRADUATE PREVIEW DAY
2012
NICOLE FARHI COMPETITION MULBERRY COMPETITION WAREHOUSE COMPETITION GRADUATE PREVIEW DAY CREATIVE PATTERN CUTTING SEMINAR HARRODS HEADS OF COURSE SEMINAR
2013
CHLOE COMPETITION TOPSHOP/TOPMAN COMPETITION WAREHOUSE COMPETITION GRADUATE PREVIEW DAY HARRODS HEADS OF COURSE SEMINAR GARMENT CONSTRUCTION SEMINAR CREATIVE PATTERN CUTTING SEMINAR
2014
HARRODS COMPETITION WAREHOUSE COMPETITION M&S BEST OF BRITISH COMPETITION TOPSHOP/TOPMAN COMPETITION
GRADUATE PREVIEW DAY HARRODS HEADS OF COURSE SEMINAR CREATIVE PATTERN CUTTING SEMINAR
2015
BURBERRY COMPETITION HARRODS COMPETITION WAREHOUSE COMPETITION TOPSHOP/TOPMAN COMPETITION GRADUATE PREVIEW DAY CREATIVE PATTERN CUTTING SEMINAR HARRODS HEADS OF COURSE SEMINAR
BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL ANNOUNCES COLLEGES COUNCIL PATTERN CUTTING SEMINAR TO BE RENAMED IN HONOUR OF ANNE TYRRELL.