One couldn’t help but love Hilary Alexander. Whether she was in the front row or at fashion parties, Alexander, who died from an undisclosed illness last week, exuded pure joy – replete with a signature gravely voice, a glass of champagne in one hand and a Malboro Light in the other. Her passion for our industry was palpable.

A New Zealand native, she cut her teeth in Australia and Hong Kong before relocating to London and, in the mid-1980s, joining The Daily Telegraph, where she eventually became the newspaper’s Fashion Director. She was a force of nature and a face of fashion journalism in London as well as New York, Milan, and Paris.

In 2011 – the year she retired from the Telegraph – Alexander received the CFDA Media Award in honor of Eugenia Sheppard, which was presented to her by Michael Kors, who called her “a remarkable journalist” on his Instagram.

“She was intuitive, keenly intelligent and incredibly curious,” the designer said. “She loved fashion and the story behind it and was always full of joy and good humor.”

Suzy Menkes noted, “With a ‘ciggy’ in hand and a glass in the other, Hilary Alexander still managed to be the sharp, high-level fashion reporter that she remained before passing away last week. At 77, she had managed to continue [her] high level support for fashion and especially young talent around which she would always fling – metaphorically speaking – her open arms.”

On a personal note, I have always admired Hilary from afar as a fashion-obsessed student. When I was starting my career in London in the mid-1990s, I sent my resume to dozens of editors and publications. Hilary was the only one to respond via mail. She didn’t have a job for me at the Telegraph, but she offered words of encouragement and inspiration.

She was a true professional.