Monday, Apr. 02, 2012

Isabella Blow

Born in London, Isabella Blow first became interested in fashion after falling in love with her mother's pink hat. How fitting, then, that she would become famous decades later for discovering the then unknown milliner Philip Treacy. She wore his hats in most public appearances throughout the rest of her life. Blow went on to discover and promote models Sophie Dahl and Stella Tennant and, most famously, the late designer Alexander McQueen, whose entire graduation collection she purchased for about $8,000. Beyond serving as a mentor and muse for young talent, Blow worked as an editor at publications including Tatler, the Sunday Times and U.S. Vogue, where she briefly assisted Anna Wintour. But for all of her professional success, she battled depression throughout her life and committed suicide in 2007 while battling ovarian cancer. She was buried in a McQueen outfit, while Treacy designed a hat that rested on her coffin.