Suzannah (Polly) Hornburg, the founder and "backbone" of fashion chain Calypso, has died at age 94.

Mrs. Hornburg will be long remembered the world-over for her 'Polly Pants' and elegant personal style.

But she will be greatly missed by family and friends for her love of life, fun spirit and generous nature.

Daughter Lisa Hornburg said: "We were lucky to have had a parent for so long a time and even as she aged she maintained a young, open mind. She had friends of all ages. She was timeless."

Her daughter Suzannah Dutoya added: "Mum was a very determined, positive woman. She was extremely intuitive and sensitive to one's feelings, but more than anything her thoughtfulness towards others from all walks of life was extraordinary.

"We had many, many wonderful times together. Most of all I will cherish our dinners together at home or in a restaurant. They were always so cosy and cheerful and full of giggles.

"I feel so lucky to have had her as my 'great friend' and to have been able to enjoy her company for so much of my life."

Mrs. Hornburg entered the fashion industry at a time when women were rarely in the work force. She began her career as a model in the 1940s, and later became a stylist for an advertising agency in New York.

Her late husband John Hornburg ran an import-export business in Bermuda and they decided to start their own business venture.

They began making ladies' clothes, including a popular one-piece diving suit, sheath dress and dinner skirt.

Though controversial at the time, her most famous contribution to fashion was the 'Polly Pants' a dress pant with a flat front, back zipper and tapered leg.

Mrs. Hornburg used fabrics from around the world and even produced special orders for movie stars like Joan Crawford, said long-time assistant Joan Talbot.

Maritza Sequeros, group sales manager at Calypso, considered Mrs. Hornburg a mentor and her best friend.

"I referred to her as 'big soul' and was included in all family gatherings always welcome.

"I will miss our martini birthday parties that always included caviar and blinis to celebrate your special day. That is why she was special and to her every day was precious.

"I feel honoured to have been able to share my time with her. She will be forever in my heart. Her passing took away the backbone not only of Calypso but also the strength she transferred to me. She believed in being happy and living life not only to the fullest but embracing it with her being such love you could actually feel just by being in her presence."

Friend and hairstylist Ian Shaw, from Strands, added: "She was just fantastic. She was a very special woman; very forward thinking and her attitude and her thoughts didn't gel with her physical age. She was very open to everything and she was youthful even though in her old age."

Former co-worker James Smith lovingly called her "paw-paw" and said: "She was certainly one-of-a-kind. You know when she walked into a room a light went on.

"I will remember the most her kind way, her elegance and her sense of wonderful design. I certainly will miss her terribly and the last time I saw her last June she was in bed and not getting up much.

"She was still as elegant then as when I knew her in the early days. She looked perfectly beautiful with her blue eyes, and was perfectly groomed."

He added: "It's definitely the end of an era with Polly gone."