Fashion world mourns Tarvydas
Perth's fashion community came together this afternoon to mourn and celebrate the life of Ruth Tarvydas.
Close friends and family, including the late fashion designer's older sister Hilde Grey and nephews Jeremy and Rowan Grey, gathered for a private church service at Perth’s Lutheran Church, with some flying in from interstate and overseas to be in attendance.
Mourners included deputy Prime Minister Julie Bishop and Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi.
Ruth Tarvydas: A life in pictures.
The burial then took place at Karrakatta Cemetery. It was open to the public for those who knew or fondly remembered the local fashion legend and wanted to pay their respects.
Picture: Lincoln Baker/The West Australian
Many of Tarvydas' female friends and fans sported their favourite Tarvydas gowns as a way of paying tribute to her creative legacy.
Born in Kempten, Germany, to Lithuanian parents, Martynas and Ursula, Tarvydas was two-years-old when her parents, sister and late brother Harvey moved to Australia.
Tarvydas was found dead outside her East Perth apartment last month. There were no suspicious circumstances.
Fashion icon 'inspired all around her'
The 66-year-old had been fighting to revive her fashion business amid intense financial strain.
It is understood her death came just hours after she failed to meet a deadline to repay a debt of $100,000 to ANZ Banking Group, which launched legal action against her last year.
Tarvydas had to close her King Street store in October 2012 because of debts of $1 million, and administrators were appointed to her company RTI (WA) Pty Ltd.
In December that year, she opened a new store in Claremont's Times Square precinct with the support of businessman John Bond.
The Telstra Perth Fashion Festival is planning to pay tribute to Tarvydas' at the opening of this year's event in September.
Di Bauwens speaks at the funeral service. Picture: Lincoln Baker/The West Australian
