The other night, my friend, Liv, texted me, saying that she liked my new hair cut. She had seen it here on the blog, and said it reminded her of Isabella Blow. I was like, Oh? Who’s that?

Not waiting for a response, I turned immediately to Google–and became instantly obsessed with the life, death, and amazing style of Isabella Blow.

Blow launched the careers of fashion icons, Alexander McQueen, Philip Treacy, as well as those of top models, Sophia Dahl and Stella Tennant. A front-row regular at runway shows, Blow was famous for her cutting edge style, often sporting spectacular hats – most fashioned by the aforementioned, Treacy.

Despite being one of the most beloved and colorful fixtures of the fashion world, Blow wrestled with depression for years. After two previous attempts, she finally commited suicide at the age of 48 by drinking weed killer. Gnarly.

Her funeral was a star-studded procession of the world’s most fashionable, all donning Blow’s signature style–statement-making hats!

Many blame her death on Alexander McQueen, who basically dropped Blow, after she brokered the sale of his brand to Gucci group, launching him into a new realm of stardom and success. She was also abandoned by her mother, disinherited by her father, and was unable to have a child, despite multiple tries at in vitro fertilization. And, after years as a sort of freelancer in the fashion industry, Blow–now middle-aged–felt adrift, as though she had no proper place or position in the world she loved. Yeah, kinda heavy.

A true fashion icon, Isabella Blow continues to influence style-makers like Lady Gaga. After her death, McQueen dedicated his spring 2008 to her, collaborating with Phillip Treacy, and creating a flawless runway tribute. When I watch this runway show, I find it impossible to dismiss McQueen as a cad who carelessly abandoned Blow during his rise to stardom: It’s a gorgeous, unparalleled homage that could only come of a deep love and respect for his friend and former muse. One can only speculate as to what prevented McQueen from creating a position for Blow within his new found empire.

For more on Isabella Blow, check out Amy Loracca’s wonderful article from New York Magazine.

xo,
Elissa

{Images sourced from Google Images & Style.com}