Isabella Blow

Isabella Blow - who was born on November 19th, 1958, in Marylebone, London, England - was an English magazine editor.  Born as Isabella Delves Broughton, she was the eldest child of Major Sir Evelyn Delves Broughton, a military officer, and his second wife, Helen Mary Shore, a barrister.  Blow had two sisters, Julia and Lavinia; her brother, John, drowned in the family's swimming pool at the age of two, which had a profound effect on her.  In 1972, when she was fourteen, Blow's parents separated, with her mother departing the family home and leaving her with her father with whom she didn't get on.  After doing 'A'-levels, Blow enrolled at secretarial college and took various odd jobs.  In 1979, she moved to New York City, studying Ancient Chinese Art at Columbia University for a year, before moving to Texas, where she worked for the fashion designer, Guy Laroche.  In 1981, Blow married her first husband, Nicholas Taylor (whom she divorced in 1983), and was introduced to the editor of U.S. Vogue, Anna Wintour, soon becoming her assistant at the magazine.  Returning to London in 1986, she began working for Michael Roberts, the fashion director of Tatler and The Sunday Times 'Style' magazines.  In 1989, Blow married her second husband, the barrister and art dealer, Detmar Hamilton Blow.  Her wedding headdress was designed by milliner Philip Treacy, whose talent she recognised, and she set him up in business at her London flat.  Wearing Treacy's hats became a part of her flamboyant style.  In 1993, Blow worked with photographer Steven Meisel on his Babes in London shoot.  Blow discovered the fashion designer Alexander McQueen (who committed suicide in 2010), and launched the career of the model Sophie Dahl.  She supported both the fashion- and art-worlds, with the artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster creating a shadow portrait of her which was displayed in the National Portrait Gallery.  In 2002, she was the subject of an exhibition entitled When Philip met Isabella, which featured drawings and photographs of her wearing Treacy's hats.  Blow was also by now the fashion editor of Tatler, and consulted for DuPont Lycra, Lacoste, and Swarovski.  In 2004, she had an acting cameo in the film, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.  She and her second husband separated that year, with both partners going on to have affairs, although they reconciled eighteen months later.  During this time, Blow was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, undergoing electroconvulsive therapy for the condition.  She continued to work on projects, but was soon afterwards diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  She was upset that Alexander McQueen didn't take her along when he sold his brand to Gucci.  Blow's increasing depression was exacerbated by financial troubles and finding out she was infertile.  In 2006, she made two suicide attempts, the second of which led to her breaking both ankles, and several more in 2007.  On May 5th, 2007 - at a party at her home in Hilles House, Stroud, Gloucestershire - Blow announced that she was going shopping.  Instead, her sister found her collapsed on the bathroom floor.  She was rushed to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where she died the next day.  Initially reported to be from ovarian cancer, Blow's death was ruled to be a suicide after ingesting the weedkiller, paraquat.  Isabella Blow was 48 years old.