Isabella Blow

This morning, I finally finished reading this biography on Isabella Blow, the legendary Bitish fashion editor/ stylist whose body of work inspired many (including me), but sadly, committed suicide in 2007.  It was written by Lauren Goldstein Crowe. 

I share many things with this woman-- most especially her love for design and designers, art and artists. She was eccentric to some, inspiring to me, fabulous and captivating to all.  I wish she lived longer, or died some other way.  She was muse to many designers and was "a creature like no other". 

What made this biography extra-interesting to me was the reference to so many unforgettable (and one might say, game-changing) photo shoots and fashion shows that she styled or collaborated with Alexander McQueen and Phillip Treacy on.  I had so much fun googling these mentioned works, ooh-ing and aahhh-ing at how these creatives pushed their ideas to the edge.  

Back in the 90's, she made London cool again. 

Blow with hat-maker Phillip Treacy

 Blow with Alexander McQueen for Vanity Fair's "Cool Britannia" shoot. 

Sharing a laugh with Treacy backstage at a show

See some of her most outrageous hats, for which she was known to have worn to social gatherings fearlessly and beautifully:

 Blow at the launch of a lipstick shade named after her by Mac

Upon her death, Isabella's entire wardrobe was to be auctioned off at Christie's but the heiress and fashion icon Daphne Guinness bought the entire archive, and is said to be currently working on building some sort of "memorial for Isabella around the clothes".  

One of her most famous quotes were: 

"Fashion is a vampiric thing, it's the hoover on your brain. That's why I wear the hats, to keep everyone away from me. They say, 'Oh, can I kiss you?' I say, 'No, thank you very much. That's why I've worn the hat. Goodbye.' I don't want to be kissed by all and sundry. I want to be kissed by the people I love."

She led a colorful and extraordinary life.  Honestly, reading about her story made me a tad bit more creative during the past few weeks.  A glass of wine (or better yet, a bottle of champagne), to celebrate Isabella Blow's life, please! CHEERS!