Style guru Blow took weedkiller overdose - Dec 6 2007
Isabella Blow killed herself by taking 20 times the fatal dose of the weedkiller Paraquat, a coroner has ruled.

Mrs Blow, fashion director of Tatler, had tried to take her own life at least three times before, her youngest sister Lavinia Verney told the hearing in Gloucester.

Gloucestershire coroner Alan Crickmore recorded a verdict of suicide after hearing the 48-year-old told hospital staff she wanted to die. Pathologist Professor Neil Shepherd gave the cause of death as poisoning.

Mrs Blow, who died at her home Hilles House, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, was haunted by a series of personal tragedies, including being cut from her father's will and witnessing her brother drowning when they were toddlers. Lavinia Verney said Mrs Blow began suffering with depression five or six years ago.

"In that period she tried to take her life three times, jumping off a bridge in London fracturing her feet, ramming her car into the back of a lorry and taking an overdose of tablets in India," she said.

"She would often say that she wanted to kill herself."

She said in April this year Mrs Blow "took a turn for the worse". She spent time in Wotton Lawn psychiatric hospital, Gloucestershire, before being released May 3.

On May 5 Lavinia found her at home being sick. She said she'd taken poison and was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Pathologist Dr Neil Shepherd later confirmed she'd taken over 20 times the fatal dose.

Isabella was open with doctors at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital that she had drunk half a pint of the weedkiller and that she 'didn't want to go on'.

Her husband Detmar Blow didn't attend the inquest. Mrs Blow died on May 7 this year.

Date for fashion director’s inquest - Nov 27 2007
An inquest into the death of style guru Isabella Blow will be held next week.

Blow, a magazine fashion director known for her love of eccentric hats and bright red lipstick, died after swallowing the weedkiller Paraquat at her home, Hilles House, near Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Blow was reportedly diagnosed with ovarian cancer and also suffered from depression before her death in May.

A two-hour inquest will be held at Gloucester Shire Hall on Wednesday next week.

Blow, the fashion director of Tatler magazine, was credited with launching the careers of milliner Philip Treacy, designer Alexander McQueen and model Sophie Dahl. All three attended her funeral at Gloucester Cathedral.

A black sailing ship bonnet, designed by Mr Treacy, adorned her coffin during the service.

In September, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent attended a memorial service for her in the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, central London.

In the days after her death, Tatler editor Geordie Greig paid tribute to his friend of 25 years.

Mr Greig said: "She was this extraordinarily unique person who combined extravagance with great taste - she only dealt with surprise. It is a huge loss for British fashion and for Britain as a whole.

"For 25 years I knew her, and particularly closely for the last six at Tatler."

Blow - who was known as Izzie - lived with her second husband, Detmar Blow.

Isabella’s new agency - 01/12/03
Hat maker Philip Treacy has collaborated with Brixton lady and his long time pal Isabella Blow to launch a new model agency.

Isabella is credited with discovering Sophie Dahl and Stella Tennant, and now has her eyes on Lord Lichfield’s 21-year-old daughter, Lady Eloise Anson. She is the first model to be taken on by the new agency, modestly titled Superstars.