tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078357011397157919.post8511267528719229745..comments2024-03-25T22:43:21.934-07:00Comments on Justine Picardie: McQueen is dead, long live McQueenJustine Picardiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16957669049699860596noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078357011397157919.post-31544633143180538022010-02-12T18:06:08.989-08:002010-02-12T18:06:08.989-08:00I rarely thought of McQueen without thinking of Is...I rarely thought of McQueen without thinking of Isabella Blow, who wore his most outrageous creations (with Philip Treacy's spectacular hats, although "hat" is too tame of a word to describe the fantastical sculptures that adorned her head - sometimes face, too) as if they were a uniform, like the Queen of England's pastel suits. On her they seemed effortless, more an expression of personality rather than costume. She wore his cloven-toed boots as though they were bedroom slippers, a exaggerated, corseted suit as if it was a nightgown. For her, fashion and style were one and the same.<br /><br />It was heartbreaking to read about Isabella Blow after her death. That someone who seemed so confident could be so fragile and insecure was a tragedy. <br /><br />The world of fashion seems to dim a little without them.kairuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11608839703020585886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078357011397157919.post-36800741477161816282010-02-12T15:55:43.796-08:002010-02-12T15:55:43.796-08:00She was an extraordinary character; as strange and...She was an extraordinary character; as strange and rare a bird as the ones she wore on her head (as you'll see in the pictures of her hats).Justine Picardiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16957669049699860596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078357011397157919.post-1053703859724620012010-02-12T15:18:24.882-08:002010-02-12T15:18:24.882-08:00Yes, lovely words, Justine. Obviously from the hea...Yes, lovely words, Justine. Obviously from the heart. I am almost speechless at the moment having just googled and read Isabella's story. The Bloomsburys seem pale by comparison. Hadn't known she was related to the Happy Valley crowd. What a strange, sad life. Surely it must be the basis for a film sometime.jaywalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18057625356137450284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078357011397157919.post-78443697954929817632010-02-12T09:46:46.041-08:002010-02-12T09:46:46.041-08:00What breaks my heart is that people are actually w...What breaks my heart is that people are actually willing to dismiss his passing because of <br />a) his profession<br />b) the fact that he chose to die<br /><br />That second part came out wrong- if a person lives on through the work they do and the ways in which others remember them, he'll never truly be dead, but it makes it no less sad that his life is at an end. And the fact that some people equate a "worthwhile" life (whatever that means) with nothing other than children raised/measures towards world peace/ cures for cancer, sickens me. Not that these aren't good things to do, but the world would be such a drab, boring place without people like McQueen. Thank you so much for writing the most elegant, eloquent tribute I've seen anywhere online to him- it did me some good to read it, even after rambling in response.Blue Floppy Hathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13924517166595597734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078357011397157919.post-9267579503176537332010-02-12T08:04:08.193-08:002010-02-12T08:04:08.193-08:00This is such a beautiful and tender elegy. Thank ...This is such a beautiful and tender elegy. Thank you for taking the time to write something so stunning out of something so beautiful. A huge loss to the fashion world and the world of art deserved an artistic tribute like this one.Paperback Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14579608422235511054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078357011397157919.post-80255357117141015642010-02-12T07:08:14.209-08:002010-02-12T07:08:14.209-08:00I heard of his death first thing in the morning ye...I heard of his death first thing in the morning yesterday, via Twitter - such is this modern age of media and communication.<br /><br />A beautiful, moving elegy, Justine.<br /><br />When I think of McQueen, I think of the macabre, wild, exaggerated creations down the catwalk, and of the late Isabella Blow who seemed to flit around like a strange, exotic bird, but I also think of his friendship with the writer Plum Sykes. He made her a dramatic lace dress as a consolation after her first engagement broke up, and then a beautiful, airy wedding gown that looked as soft as swansdown.kairuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11608839703020585886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078357011397157919.post-6680902292965064382010-02-12T06:26:22.796-08:002010-02-12T06:26:22.796-08:00I read this yesterday and then read it again today...I read this yesterday and then read it again today. Thank you for your beautiful piece -- so moving, so thoughtful.lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10130816183448866952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078357011397157919.post-63632772922023631222010-02-12T04:54:00.397-08:002010-02-12T04:54:00.397-08:00What a beautiful tribute - I hope that those who d...What a beautiful tribute - I hope that those who did know him more intimatly get sight of it. <br /><br />You write so skillfully and passionately Justine. I envy your amazing talent - we are so lucky you find the time to keep this blog.Karen, Surreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09625726401639205655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078357011397157919.post-88680605441013543732010-02-12T02:43:39.619-08:002010-02-12T02:43:39.619-08:00What a superb tribute and what mastery of words yo...What a superb tribute and what mastery of words you have , Justine. I think that this blog needs a wide audience. I found your insight so exquisite - I will have to reread it.enidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04506741826683775428noreply@blogger.com