Daphne Guinness: Isabella Blow Auction And Why I Stopped It

FT.com:

The story begins on the morning of May 7, 2007, when I was woken in New York City at 4am by a telephone call from Alexander [Lee] McQueen. I had been dreading, but half-expecting, this call for quite some time. Issie was dead, he said. She had poisoned herself. It was an awful death, an agony that lasted for two days. I don't think either of us stopped crying for the full hour and a half of our conversation. Lee had seen her just the week before and he was so grateful for having had that time with her; I had, for various reasons, been regularly uprooted from London, and the last time I saw Issie was a fleeting visit before Christmas, though we had spoken in the weeks afterwards and she had seemed more positive about life. Still, I will regret not having seen her during this time for the rest of my days.

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Comments

[nah415]

12:54 AM on 07/08/2010

Stopping the auction was a lovely gesture and I can only hope to be such a loyal friend to the people in my own life. And the tribute she wrote was even lovelier!

[UhOh1]

02:57 PM on 07/06/2010

issabella blow was an original. an icon. her death was a huge loss and it's amazing that daphne did this. hats off to you! http://www.thisheartsonfire.com

[Siren Song]

01:10 AM on 07/06/2010

A really lovely thing to do for a dear friend. May we all be fortunate enough to have even one such friend. Brava, Ms. Guinness.

[LiberalBuzz]

11:31 PM on 07/05/2010

That was great that you did so. Sometimes you see a famous person's personal items being auctioned and it just seems both tacky and sad.

Isabella' was given a raw deal in the Alexander McQueen deal when he went to Gucci. Add that to the other problems which seemed to plague her and one can see where the depression came from.

The world needs more friends like yourself.

A great many more.

[wasim ali]

11:18 PM on 07/05/2010

Nice that Daph did this but it hardly requires all that space to carry on about someone who wore dresses and did not much else. (And obviously never went to a dentist).

[mabil]

10:28 PM on 07/05/2010

Isabella Blow was a great fashion muse and icon with a unique style that was all her own. Although she is gone, she still influences artists today like Lady Gaga among others. Isabella was an original and much well loved as is evidenced by true friends like Daphne Guinness. May she rest in peace.

[heroine addict]

08:28 PM on 07/05/2010

Sublime. Her actions are a credit to them both. The best thing I could think of would be to use the collection in a way that would raise money and awareness around depression and mental illness. We lose too many of our artistic geniuses to them, and far too early.

[LaurieAnn]

03:40 PM on 07/05/2010

In the fashion world, which can often be a cruel place, Ms. Daphne Guineess purchase of Isabella Blow's wardrobe is an act of profound compassion.

[Heidi Hoerman]

11:21 AM on 07/05/2010

It is extremely tacky to use a very unflattering picture of Ms. Guiness for the link to this article, a heartfelt explanation of her rescuing the possessions of a dead friend from the auctioneer's block with the agreement of the family. Yes, Guiness is often dressed in the extremes of fashion and I get a kick out of leering but there is a time and a place for decorum. Surely this is one of them.

[Pema]

10:42 AM on 07/05/2010

wow a stunning tribute to a woman whom i knew little of, but know now i would have enjoyed her company immensly.