A few years ago I had the pleasure to assist on a photoshoot where the model was the wonderful Carmen dell’Orefice. Turning 80 this year, she is one of the grand dames of the fashion industry, but she wears the mantle lightly.

No airs or graces, no quirky demands (just an Americano coffee), just pure professionalism. She would put on the outfit, and with a slick of lippy and a tousle of the glorious white hair, away she went. Working the clothes, getting the angle just so, looking down at her body almost as if disembodied, to see she was in the right frame to capture the best of the frock.

It was almost a disappointment when we got through a whole rail of clothes in the space of 4 hours (including hair and make-up – in fashion terms, that’s lightening speed). None of the

crew wanted it to end. It was such a pleasure to watch someone at the pinnacle of their game, do what they do so well. No fuss, just working to capture the best of the best.

The last thing she said to me that day was ‘live a good life.’

BDW