Exchanging my British Passport for an American one, marrying my American husband, and buying not one, but two places to live in the US still doesn’t ever mean I will stop celebrating being a Brit.  There are so many things I will never stop loving about my country and the whole array of eccentrics that are such a colorful and exotic part of life.

Today we have to say a fond farewell to one who we know will just insist on redecorating heaven the moment she arrives.  I was so lucky that JIBBY BEANE flitted in and out of my life ….. all very briefly some time ago, but if you ever had the opportunity to meet her, you will understand exactly what I mean.  It’s an encounter you will never forget. She was a sheer joy. A striking statuesque blonde, who had been the star of many a Vivienne Westwood catwalk show, I swear she is the original person who was credited with (now cliché) lighting up a room the moment she walked in’

When we met, courtesy of my boyfriend du jour, who adored her, at that time Jibby flitted between the world of fashion with such ease, and she ran an art gallery from her first-floor flat in Paddington, central London.  She had an eye for ‘the real thing’ as she showed the work of artist Martin Creed, who would later go on to win the prestigious TURNER PRIZE.

As expected, the end of my romantic relationship with Jibby’s friend meant losing all contact with her. Writing this wee appreciation I have just learned she too spent more time in the US, but Jibby, being Jibby, her life was always a tad more glam than mine. She lunched with Quentin Crisp, hung out with David Bowie, and Mario Testino took Jibby’s picture for W magazine.  In fact, the pink Westwood platform shoes in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection belonged to Jibby.

I would never describe Jibby as larger than life, as her life was so much larger than mine …. and most other people’s.  However, I take comfort knowing that UP THERE  she will be reunited with Viv Westwood and catching up on all the gossip.

RIP Jibby