The recent passing of Isabella Blow was a sad one. This often decsribed “eccentric” woman, was one of London’s most famous fashion icons. Her fashion sense was like no other, and her love of hats was incomparable. “Where many fashionistas dress head to toe in the latest labels out of vanity, Blow could hardly care less. She wore clothes for dramatic expression.” (Vanity Fair Sept. 07) That is what Blow’s life was, a dramatic expression. She lived and died in spectacular fashion.
Blow worked for the magazine the Tatler. She was well-known for her eye in finding fashion prodigies such as Alexander McQueen and she was also the muse and friend of some of the worlds most creative people; Andy Warhol, Anna Wintour and Manolo Blahnik. She lived her life on a creative high. “Her eccentric public image was one she spent her life cultivating with her daring choices in clothing, particularly hats. Dressing without a hat, Blow explained, was like not being dressed at all.” (Vanity Fair Sept. 07)
In public, Blow would be seen wearing the most unique works of art perched atop her short, jet black hair. The creations she would wear, most the design of friend, Philip Treacy, were so unique and extravagant they are hardly describable in words. The kind of fashioin, you simply must see to believe.
While her public life was stunningly dramatic, her private life was nothing less. Plagued by the fact that her creativity was often unappreciated, she became fiercly depressed. She tried to end her life in many extraordinary ways. She finally succeded in May of this year. Never the one to be lackluster, her funeral was as fashionably fabulous as her wedding. She even wore a hat by Philip Treacy.
While her life was glamorous, she was unable to cope with the depression set upon her. She will always be remembered as the fashion icon that never settled for anything other than the beauty she sought in every aspect of her life.
To read more about Isabella Blow you can read the article, Final Blow, in the September issue of Vanity Fair.
To see pictures of Isabella Blow hats you can visit this website, http://www.cranbrookart.edu/museum/treacy.html
Anne Kreke