Alexander McQueen was a rebellious character and was perhaps no better reflected than in his fashion other-half Isabella Blow. The two had contrasting upbringings but somehow ended up in the same world with the same sense of self and outrageous style.
McQueen’s upbringing started in the East End to Taxi-driver father and genealogist mother in March 1969. From a young age McQueen knew he wanted to work in fashion interning at Savile Row at sixteen years of age, he was also aware of his sexuality describing himself as the “pink sheep of the family”.
Blow however was born in Marylebone in 1958, London to a father who was of nobility and a mother who was a barrister, and her Aunty who was married to a Lord. Blow’s introduction into the fashion world was at a slower pace than McQueens with her taking odd jobs until the 80s when she was introduced to Anna Wintour and she began her career in fashion.
In 1992 Alexander McQueen showed his MA collection and it caught the attention of Isabella Blow, who purchased the collection in its entirety. At the time Blow was the editor of Vogue UK, though McQueen did not know who she was at the time she was trying to purchase his collection. And thus began the iconic friendship of a designer and his muse. The two rebels had something else that linked them, something much darker than their love of fashion and that is that they both endured tragedy and horror in their young lives. Isabella Blow’s brother drowned in her family’s pool, which understandably is said to have effected her greatly and McQueen was abused
by his sister’s husband, which is said to inspire the darkness that is very present in his designs.
The two style icons enjoyed their very public and talked about friendship until Blow was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at which point she decided to overdose on weed-killer. Three short years later McQueen’s beloved mother passed away and McQueen could not handle the overwhelming grief and committed suicide on February 11th 2010, shocking the fashion world one last time.
It is no surprise that this tumultuous duo’s story is being turned into a fashion drama on the big screen. It was announced that Maven pictures, who premiere many of their films at Cannes Film Festival (an appropriate fashion conscious event for the film) will be producing the film. The film promises to be a hit with no word on who will star, but Gesha-Marie Bland is said to have written the script titled simply as “The Ripper”.
Fashion Industry Broadcast has produced a five minute web-doco on the standout rebel designer Alexander McQueen and features the designer in our Masters of Fashion Vol 39 Renegades.
Check out the web-doco below and be sure to follow Fashion Industry Broadcast so you don’t miss any important fashion updates!
Masters of Fashion Vol. 39 “Renegades”
Written by Charlie O’Brien
Film by Sabrina Calero
