Exhibition: Isabella Blow Fashion Galore!

Fahsion Galore - image Somerset House

The last three exhibitions I have been to at Somerset House have all been brilliant and this one documenting the life of fashionista, Isabella Blow was no exception. She is the late, great fashion guru credited with propelling the careers of many of Britain's biggest fashion names including Alexander MacQueen and Philip Treacy.

Blow and McQueen - Pinterest

Blow was born into aristocracy, but her father spent their fortunes, forcing her to earn a living. She chose fashion and asissted fashion editors from newspapers like The Times to Anna Wintour and became known for her magpie-like talent for scouting out the next big name in fashion. She hung out at Central St. Martins and The Royal College of Art to find young designers to put on the fashion pages.

Treacy's hats - Somerset House

On show is Alexander McQueen's whole graduate collection, every piece of which, she bought, paying off £100 a week and receiving one item a month. Red lipstic wearing Blow was a fan of fun and theatrical fashion and was often seen sporting a hat, usually a Philip Treacy number, who's sculptured pieces s are another highlight of the exhibition.

The exhibition is a brilliant fashion fix that giving an insight into the creative minds of Blow, McQueen and Tracey. Somerset house top tip? Go on a purse friendly Monday, when it's half price (£6.25) and not so busy.

somersethouse.org.uk