Originally photographed as part of a story on “English Eccentrics” for Vanity Fair, Isabella Blow died by her own hand barely a week after the sitting. She had been depressed for some time and it appears nothing that anyone could do or say could help rid her herself of whatever haunted her. This, therefore, is the last picture of a true original. When books on British cultural life and the fashion history of our times are wriiten years from now, she will loom larger as other slip effortlessly from attention,”I didn’t want to photograph her because I’d heard that she was clearly unwell, but people who knew her suggested that it would be a good thing in that it might help her. She seemed to be happy and we made an arrangement for me to come to Hilles to spend a few days teaching her how a camera works, she said she wanted to have a bash at photography”. Rozelle Parry made up Isabella’s face in the manner of a portrait by Stella Vin; “Aware of my brush strokes, Isabella turned around, looked at the lens and remarked; “Hallow’een”.”
“At the time, it wasn’t considered ‘normal’ to be gay or lesbian,” [Barrett] said. “Some even saw it as dangerous. But in The Sims it was normal and safe to be a gay person. It was the first time we could play a game and be free to see ourselves represented within. It was a magical moment when my first same-sex Sims coupled kissed. I still sometimes wonder how in the world I got away with it.”
Anonymous Gift, in memory of Lady May Fletcher-Moulton, 1926
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY Medium: Case of gold and enamel, with floral design
