Anna Piaggi, the eccentric fashion writer and former editor of Italian Vogue has died, aged 81.

The octogenarian was perhaps best known, in her later years, for her inimitable style, matching bombastic colour with opulent fabrics and make-up that saw her standing out from the crowd despite her diminutive stature.

A close friend to British milliner Stephen Jones, Piaggi was often spotted sporting the designer's creations, from chic mini top-hat fancies to oversized fur numbers.

A provocateur until the very end, she was muse to Karl Lagerfeld, who wrote a book specifically about her style.

Lagerfeld's sketchbook: Karl Lagerfeld's Illustrated Fashion Journal of Anna Piaggi cemented the godfather of fashion's love of the Italian-born icon and saw illustrations and sketches of items from her vast and hugely valuable wardrobe. Her dresses alone are said to number in the thousands.

That same wardrobe was the subject of an entire Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition in London in 2006, giving the public a chance to glimpse the fashionista's famous collection.

Piaggi died in Milan, close to many of her country's most treasured fashion houses.

- Sydney Morning Herald

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