Isabella Blow was an incredible style icon. I just finished reading her husband’s book, Blow by Blow, and I absolutely loved it. I’m currently fascinated by strong women who have the courage to dress uniquely, and Isabella was a master of that, always wearing the most extraordinary hats.
The book was a real page-turner for me. Even though you know how her story ends, you can’t help but be curious about how she became such an influential figure, discovering amazing designers like Philip Treacy and Alexander McQueen and helping them rise to fame.
For those who aren’t familiar with Isabella Blow, here’s a brief overview of her life.
Isabella was born into an aristocratic family and grew up in luxury, though her father was quite stingy, which gave her lifelong anxiety about money. She was educated at a boarding school and lacked parental affection, which was only made worse by her parents’ divorce. She went to secretarial college and had some wild student years. She eventually moved to the USA with financial help from her father and a husband, landing a job as Anna Wintour’s assistant at Vogue.
This didn’t happen overnight, of course. Isabella was a social butterfly who loved parties and living on the wild side. Party organizers adored her, and that’s how she met many famous people like Andy Warhol and Brian Ferry. Her ability to connect with others and bring people together was crucial to her success throughout her life.
After some time as Vogue’s editor-at-large, Isabella’s unpredictable behavior led to her being fired, and she went back to England. She divorced her first husband and got a job at Tatler. Later, she remarried, worked for the Sunday Times, and styled many photoshoots. She was constantly seeking new talent, and when she saw Alexander McQueen’s graduation show, she was blown away. She bought his entire collection and introduced him to influential people. She also discovered the famous hat maker Philip Treacy and served as his muse for a long time, wearing many of his stunning creations. She later worked as a consultant for Swarovski, had a MAC lipstick named after her, and eventually returned to work for Tatler.
Unfortunately, Isabella struggled with manic depression. Her manic phases made her extremely productive, but her lows were devastating. Ultimately, she decided she no longer wanted to live, and after multiple suicide attempts, she succeeded on May 7, 2007.
Isabella Blow was one of a kind, and her unique hats and individuality inspire me deeply. I loved reading about her life and seeing her photos. If you’re interested in her story, you can find the book on Amazon.
Have you ever been inspired by Isabella Blow?
