The Life Of Isabella Blow

 

The Life Of Isabella Blow

By Jennie May Thompson

Isabella Blow was a fashion icon whose memory still lives on.  She was a woman who had an envious amount of contacts within the fashion industry, and a major love of hats. After meeting Phillip Treacy, Isabella had him design a hat for her wedding, and soon after a strong bond between the two formed. Having had her own collection of Philip Treacy hats exhibited in 2003, the question was why did she always wear hats? She replied…

“…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.”

To be working as a fashion assistant for Anna Wintour, you’d assume that Isabella was a tough cookie. But alas, she was a deeply emotional woman with complexes about the way she looked. She would wear oversized hats and fascinators, in order to detract attention from her face. Having said that she knew what she wanted in life, and wasn’t afraid to go out and get it.

Known for her red lipstick and extrovert style, the former fashion director of Tatler famously said “I smoke so many cigarettes, there’s no way I could have a glossy lipstick”. Her statement red lips became so famous, that MAC collaborated with her to create her own shade of lippy named Blow.

But amongst the glitz and glamour, of the world of fashion, there were dark ominous undertones to Isabella’s life. At only two years of age her younger brother, John accidentally drowned in the family swimming pool. Ultimately this was a scar that stayed with Isabella throughout her life.

When Gucci purchased the label Alexander Mcqueen,  Isabella was said to have been very upset that Mcqueen hadn’t asked her to come along when he sold the brand. In one interview there were claims that Isabella had been the one who had confirmed the deal with Gucci. Near the end of her life, Blow became seriously depressed. It seemed the glitter had fallen, and she wasn’t such a hit any more. Not being invited to attend deals, Isabella’s self esteem had hit rock bottom. Being diagnosed with cancer and bipolar disorder, a state of severe depression became evident. Blow made a number of suicide attempts, and on the 6th of May 2007 she was said to have drank a weedkiller which inevitably killed her the following day.

Regardless of the stigma surrounding Isabella Blow’s death, she was definitely an inspiration to those in the fashion industry. And I hope she still will be in years to come.