Women like Anna Piaggi harness the true power of fashion – effortlessly and endlessly imaginative, from the smallest task to the grand gesture, everything manifesting as creative expression.
 Piaggi lived life in colour, a protagonist of more-is-more, bigger, brighter and bolder.

Making her name contributing to Italian Vogue, typing away on Sottsass' famous Olivetti Valentine, Piaggi enjoyed friendships with fashion's most referenced – Karl Lagerfeld and Manolo Blahnik in particular. The muse was a regular occurrence in the front row, in her element holding court at the runway, the purest fashion moment there is. In 2006 her philosophy was celebrated with an exhibition of her expansive wardrobe at the V&A; mixing high and low, couture, ready-to-wear, found, uniform and custom.

Here we revisit Dazed & Confused issue 77, May 2001 and Piaggi's appearance as part of a Men's Fashion Special edited by Alister Mackie. In the feature, Piaggi contemplates her ideal man, posing beachside with a troupe of surfers. Piaggi died aged 81. Rest in Peace, Anna.