'I'm still in disbelief that she is gone': A tribute to Catriona Hanly - designer, queen of glamour and my fabulous friend who I will miss so much

"I was sitting on my sofa on a Saturday evening when I heard of Catriona's passing, having been in an unexpectedly foul mood earlier that day."

"Strangely enough, I had thought about calling her only a few hours beforehand."

"I'm 26 and this happens to be my first experience of heart-aching loss."

"I was in disbelief as I read the news, followed by messages from other friends. She was immortal in my mind."

Catriona Hanly, a high-profile fashion designer and well-known socialite, died at her home in Ballsbridge, Dublin, on Saturday, November 8. A close friend learned of the death that evening while sitting on a sofa and described being in an unexpectedly foul mood earlier that day. The friend had thought about calling Hanly just hours before hearing the news. At 26, the friend said this was her first experience of heart-aching loss and that she reacted with disbelief. The friend said Hanly had seemed immortal in her mind, underscoring the suddenness and emotional shock of the death.

Read at Independent