Monday, April 6, 2009

Our Lady of Hats

I was playing around in the shop the other day with this curtain tie back that came in. It's in the shape of a big flower. I put it on my head, and wrapped the a leaf around one side of my face, and the long stem around my neck. I was delighted with the result and quipped that it was very Isabella Blow. Surprisingly no one had a clue of who I was talking about.

You can read a terrific piece about Isabella HERE
Her life was quite fantastic, and very cinematic. The article is long, but well worth the read.

She was a posh person by birth, a wife, a muse, the life of the party, a generous friend, a provocateur, a tortured genius.

The World of Interiors published her rooms in London, and I share them with you.

They are lovely, just the perfect combination of colors, things, and posh bohemian style.




She died last May. She had ovarian cancer, and committed suicide. She was 48.

18 comments:

GrannySmithGreen said...

Tragic ending to such a colorful and dramatic life.

Pigtown*Design said...

i adore isabella blow. so sad.

La Maison Fou said...

Thanks for the post, did not know of her before today.
Leslie
lamaisonfou blog

ArchitectDesign™ said...

I can't believe someone didn't know who she was: She was fantastic! I'm glad you featured my favorite magazine too -i pore over it every month when it arrives! Not enough people subscribe to it!

Anonymous said...

So sad to lose such a talented person at such a young age. Thanks Valorie for helping to keep her work alive by showing her talent to the world. LindaLinda

h. m. settoon said...

So sad. The glamorous eccentrics are a vanishing breed.

pve design said...

Please show us your hat?
What a life, lived full tilt.
I always find intrigue with those that have the gall, the audacity to just live a life stylishly untrammeled.

Renée Finberg said...

i always learn wonderful things from you.

xx

Carla said...

I am such a huge fan of Isabella Blow. I read a create article about her in Italian Vogue, what an inspiration she was. I saw a wonderful portrait of her with Alexander McQueen at the David La Chapelle expo in Paris. HOpe you are well. Carla x

Visual Vamp said...

Hello Isabelle admirers!
You can see my silly hat on the perch blog in the right hand side of my margin, or at http://perchneworleans.blogspot.com
It is nothing compared to the great Ms. Blow.
xo xo

Willow Decor said...

So very sad. I am glad I got a glimpse into her life. She had a great talent!
xx-
Gina

Jill said...

I'm always drawn to these women who aren't afraid to be creative, eccentric and true individuals...and then BAM...another tragic ending. I remember reading about her death. It was so sad. She did great things for the couture millinery business. I would have loved to see a photo of you with your "on the fly" chapeau!

Tricia - Avolli said...

Her rooms are designed with the same color, depth and complexity that she seemed to live her life.

Tricia - Avolli

Visual Vamp said...

Hi Jill,
Please go to the perch blog
http://perchneworleans.blogspot.com
There's a photo there - nothing compared to the great Isabella.
You can also find the link on the right hand side of blog in the margin.
xo xo

Jill said...

Tres chic!!

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVE the colour in dining and living room... sad story.

Anonymous said...

I first learned of Isabella blow about 8 or 9 years ago after reading an article about her in Vanity Fair. Like everyone, I was enchanted by her creativity and eccentricity. I hadn't thought of her for a long time, and it was nice to be reminded of her rich offerings.

Sylvie said...

Oh. Poor baby. So sad. Thank you for introducing her to me.