Issy

Isabella Blow, known to her friends as “Issy” was a fashion icon, aristocrat, eccentric, muse, editor and patron of the arts.

Issy with her friend and collaborator Alexander “Lee” McQueen, whom she is credited with discovering. She bought his entire graduation collection.

Issy in one of her trademark Philip Treacy hats, with Philip, who was another of her proteges and close friend.

Issy died May 7^th, 2007 after taking her own life. It was her 7^th suicide attempt in 14 months. She was 48.

I was lucky to have met Issy a few times in the years before her death. She was a larger than life character— colorful, hilarious, raw, truly one of a kind.

Me wearing one of Philip Treacy’s hats in his studio, 2011

Herein lies part one of a seemingly unbelievable (but 100% true) story of how I came to know much more of Issy than I could have ever imagined. First, just five months after she died, through a paranormal encounter while staying in her bedroom. Then, in 2011-2013, I spent two years developing a film about her life, working closely with her family, friends and collaborators.

An invitation to a shooting weekend at a country estate hosted by a grieving widower, a lace Alexander McQueen couture dress belonging to his late wife left hanging in my room, and me, the young married American, away without her husband….

What could possibly go wrong?