Share this

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google plus
• Linkedin
• Mail this event
• Print this event

A portrait of the late British fashion designer, Alexander McQueen and the late magazine editor and style icon Isabella Blow has been put on exhibition by the National Portrait Gallery.

---

---

Burning Down, a shot of a medieval scene showing McQueen dressed as a damsel, brandishing a torch in front of a burning tower, with- Blow pictured alongside tugging on the hem of McQueen's dress.

The photograph was shot by David LaChapelle for Vanity Fair in 1997. At the time of the photograph, McQueen was aged 27 and had just debuted his first collection of couture for Givenchy.

The article in the magazine named McQueen and Blow, widely recognised as his mentor, 'The Provocateurs'.

Both Blow and McQueen were dressed in McQueen clothing, while Blow is pictured in a Philip Treacy hat. Following the suicide of Blow in 2007, rumours began to circulate that McQueen and Blow had drifted apart considerably due to McQueen refusing to acknowledge Blow's contribution to his success, which were dismissed by McQueen.

McQueen committed suicide in February 2010, just nine days after his mother died of cancer. McQueen had a turbulent life, struggling with depressive disorders and had attempted suicide twice before.

National Portrait Gallery director Sandy Nairne is 'delighted' the gallery has acquired the photograph, which is now on display in London.

---

---