The late fashion editor Isabella Blow is often remembered for her extravagant hats. From a jewel-encrusted lobster perched atop her head like a crustacean mohawk to a miniature Chinese garden complete with tiny pagodas and cherry trees, her trademark style was unmistakable. Princess Margaret once famously greeted her with the words: “Good evening, Hat.” At her funeral in 2007, she was adorned with an 18th-century black galleon headpiece crafted by her favorite milliner, Philip Treacy, resting on a bed of white roses.
However, a newly announced biopic, The Queen of Fashion, directed by Alex Marx and starring Andrea Riseborough as Isabella Blow, aims to shed light on her more serious contributions to British fashion. Blow was a central figure in a golden age of British fashion, known as a kingmaker who launched the career of Alexander McQueen and played a vital role in positioning 1990s London at the forefront of the creative world.
The biopic comes amidst a trend of fashion-focused films in 2024. From the feuds and flings of Karl Lagerfeld in Becoming Karl Lagerfeld to the sumptuous period drama of Cristóbal Balenciaga and The New Look, which delved into the lives of Christian Dior and Coco Chanel, respectively, the genre is thriving. However, The Queen of Fashion promises to be the most dramatic yet, exploring Blow’s complex story.
Blow’s larger-than-life persona made her a legend in the fashion world. Described by The Guardian as “Wallis Simpson as envisaged by Salvador Dalí,” she commanded attention wherever she went. Yet, behind the eccentric facade, she possessed a keen eye for talent and a dynamic approach to nurturing it.
Blow’s financial struggles were well-known, despite her aristocratic lineage. She never fully benefited from the industry she helped shape, often ridiculed for her extravagant spending and underestimated for her sharp wit and cultural acumen.
One of her most significant contributions was her early support of Alexander McQueen. She famously purchased his entire graduate collection for a modest sum and played a pivotal role in launching his career. Though their relationship was tempestuous, McQueen deeply mourned Blow’s passing and dedicated a collection to her memory.