Isabella was a unique, talented, charming woman. I only had the pleasure to meet her, through a mutual friend,3 brief times in Venice and Milan. It's difficult to describe someone like Isabella as she was so unique,eccentric and sparkling, but at the same time so incredibly human and simple. She is known in the fashion world as having been the center of attention in any gathering,but when I met her (as I am not in the fashion industry) she made me feel the center of attention asking question upon question about my life and being truly interested in the answers .We chatted about our hopes and fears of the future, the same way any other two people would. This ability to adapt to the people around her and connect with them is what I will remember about Isabella as well as her generosity, intelligence and how much she made me laugh. I was lucky to see this very personal side of her and will always treasure it. We will miss you...

thomas nelsson, milan, italia

Although I never had the pleasure of meeting her, I have been drawn to the photos of Isabella since I first began reading Vogue when I was young. Her daring , imaginative sense of style inspired me far more than any label-laden model or socialite ever has. When I read she died from suicide and had long suffered from depression, it struck me deeply. I too have long fought--and currently, through medication, defeated--depression. I wish so much Isabella had been able to find the strength to live on--what a fabulous old lady she would have made!--and continue to inspire those of us who need an icon, her fellow 'eccentrics'. Farewell lovely, wild Isabella--the world will be a shade less bright without you!

Caroline, Orlando, Florida

What is the deal missing the link here between fashion and self hatred? I am sorry about Ms. Blow and her demise, she clearly was mentally ill. There is a lot of self hatred fostered in the upper echelons of fashion. Doesn't anyone else see the obvious link? And our society is obsessed with it. It's killed more lives than one knows, even in little ways.

juliet, san francisco,

I first met Izzy in 1999 when she came along to the hairstylists at which I was then working at Waterloo.......she was seen as an eccentric person & often ridiculed by those around her for her outrageous style....she often spoke of the sadness she felt
She was in fact a very beautiful lady, far too good for this world in many ways......she was so kind to me, even writing out a cheque for me to attend college to train as a nail technician.....She would invite me around to her home at which she then lived, a small 2 up 2 down little house in the back streets of Waterloo, all beautifully designed throughout to suit her eloquent taste where we would spend ages just chatting & drinking tea while I gave her a manicure.
I think you only come across someone like this, once in a lifetime, Izzy was way too good for this world. She'll be greatly missed by all that knew her, the world won't be the same without her in it.....Rest in peace Izzy, you're not in pain anymore. xx

Lorraine, London, United Kingdom

Identifying with suicide isn't eccentric, it is depression. As the thinking person--Joey--said above--reach out, rather than laugh with or at someone who gets drunk or insists that others drink or gets animals intoxicated and tell them to get help.

Obviously she was trying to get people's attention by dressing and acting strangely. But instead people romanticize it and memorialize it. Such denial. What a train wreck. If she was so loved and special, why couldn't she be helped? "Mad energy" "transcends her departure" what the hell are you people smoking? Get involved with reality!

Jaye Ramsey Sutter, Sugar Land, Texas, USA

I want to live in a world in which there are adventurously stylish women who carve their own sartorial paths with the help of brilliant artists and artisans (and a grand helping of innate panache), and women who take dressing as a bit of fun rather than something too too serious. In the footsteps of Diana Vreeland and Iris Barrel Apfel , Louise Nevelson and Elsa Von Freytag Loringhoven, let a thousand red-lipped brilliants bloom in their mad hats and avant-garb in memory of Isabella Blow. Don your hats, ladies. And while you're at it, support your local genius designer(s).

Lisa Radon, Portland, Oregon USA

My Dear Isabella,
On the eve of your funeral, we remember all the wonderful times we spent together. All the laughter, all the champagne, all the fun and all the hats. We thank God for our meeting and you will always remain in our hearts.
Marian, Ben, Alice, Katie and Wu Tubbing.

Marian TUBBING, Brussels, Belgium

I met her through friends at a Delhi summer party;she was wildly eccentric and terific fun,trusssed out in a white tulle dress with lace, and a big hat that covered her face till the tip of her nose. We met again the next day where she was inducing two parrots to sip some whiskey so as to make them appear dead, or drowsy at any rate, for a fashion shoot. The parrots remained skittish, while the entire crew instead got utterly smashed at Isabella's insistence. In those two brief days, she showed her genuis, her ability to laugh at herself and her mad energy.

Nikhil Khanna, New Delhi, India

Forget the fact that she was an eccentric (which is a nice way of being called 'weird'). She was mentally ill, as was her family before her.

Did anybody bring to her attention that she could have sought help? Or, did they decide not to for fear that she would no longer be this creative genius- and the bank accounts of others may have suffered as a result?

Mental illness is a disease that can be treated and cured. It's no longer some dark 19th century plague that is spoken about in hushed tones.

Pay tribute to this woman by reaching out to others- telling them that they're needed.

And hide the paraquat, for that matter!

Joey Donovan, West Palm Beach, Florida

"Even then, at that time of power dressing & the black suit Issie would totter in bright red manolo stilettos, green stockings with purple shorts - always ahead, always unique, always 'out there'.
Inspiring & special."


Good god just listen to yourself and get a grip on reality.

NotBasia NotSzkutnicka, London, England

She told me in Milan, last winter, after the Max Mara show: "People thinks I am an alien. The truth is that I am the only normal person in this world."
RIP Isabella.

Ovidiu Buta , Bucharest ,

What a loss to the world of fashion and inspiration! Few well known people make me feel better that they exist - but she was definitely one of the few.

Susan, Seattle, WA

I'm so sad that someone so put together is gone, and this too from a longstanding bout with depression. I've looked up to her since I was 14, and it's just sad that someone with heart and wit and charisma is gone from today's flashy, rancid fashion world.
There are many out there that owe far more than a tribute collection!

Naveed, new york, ny

Isabella was one of lifes truest eccentrics, in the most wonderful & exciting way...she swept me up when I first graduated from St Martins in the late 80's and we collaborated on a number of ultra glamorous shoots. Even then, at that time of power dressing & the black suit Issie would totter in bright red manolo stilettos, green stockings with purple shorts - always ahead, always unique, always 'out there'.
Inspiring & special.

Basia Szkutnicka, London, England

She was one in a million. I never forget how on my way to work at Homes & Garden magazine I popped in to Conditor & Cook to pick up a croissant and coffee. In came this vision at 9 o'clock in the morning to get her croissant too, only she was in full regalia wearing a super confection of a hat ,an incredible dressy black and white coat and heels. At first I wasn't even aware who she was, so I paid her a compliment saying how sublime she looked and what a lovely start to my day she was. She was charming, thanked me for my kind words and showed me where she lived and said come for coffee any time.

gabi Tubbs, Brighton, UK

I met Isabella when she was a shop girl at a posh Manhattan housewares
shop. I was looking for props for my first Vogue shoot. When I told her where I was from, she told me she was interviewing with Anna Wintour the next day. We immediately bonded. I'll never forget how at that fateful meeting she had streaks of red lipstick on her two front teeth! To me it belied the vulnerable side of this outrageously stylish creature. We shared an office at Vogue, and she proved to be the most enchanting person I have ever known. We talked about everything from ancient Chinese painting to Edith Sitwell, another stylish eccentric who obsessed us both. While our lives went in different directions, I always treasured her friendship as a rare and singular gift. I watched her accomplishments from afar with almost maternal pride. She was a genius of true depth with a remarkably sweet soul. Freed from her mortal coils may she dress up the angels and paint their lips red. Godspeed Isabella!

Marisa Bartolucci, New York City, USA, New York

What a wonderful women she was. I first met Isabella some 15 years ago at a Serpentine Gallery reception. She loved my shirt and tie and immediately told me of a string a new designers I should meet. I loved her extraordinary Philip Tracy hat. She gave me her numbers and we stayed in touch for a while. She was always inspiring, encouraging, open, approachable and a true creative spirit and an spectacular individual. She leaves a huge gap behind. She will be sadly missed. The world was a better place for having her in it. May she rest in peace and be remember fondly forever.

Paul Gladstone Reid, London, United Kingdom

Isabella was a legend & her extraordinary life and talent transcends her departure.
Her love for beauty & elegance & her sensitive humanity inspired all those who had the good fortune to have met her.
She had a big heart and a unique perspective on everything.
I will remember her always.

Philip TREACY, London, ENGLAND

Isabella was a legend and her extraordinary life and talent transcends her departure her love of beauty and elegance and her sensitive humanity inspired all those who had the good fortune to have met her . she had a big heart and a unique perspective on everything . i will remember her always.

Philip TREACY, London, ENGLAND