OpinionStyle Check: words of wisdom from Natalie Gibson, a true legend

Superlatives such as "iconic", "exclusive", and "legendary" are regularly overused, and misused, in the world of fashion. Often, the people or services they refer to are middling and/or totally insignificant.

Some fashion folk have even taken to referring to themselves as icons. Needless to say, if you have to shout it from the rooftops, it probably isn't so.

But I had the pleasure of meeting one woman who could be genuinely described as legendary last week: the purple-haired Natalie Gibson, long-time lecturer at Central Saint Martins, who received an MBE earlier this year for services to fashion.

We met at a panel discussion that I moderated recently, and in the cut-throat world of fashion, a character such as Gibson is a breath of fresh air.

Gibson started the print textile department at Central Saint Martins more than 25 years ago, and she remains a major influence on many of its alumni. She was in Hong Kong to explore the possibility of teaching a short course at a university here.