Media Release

 

 

L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, the British Council & RMIT Gallery presents…..                                                      

                                                                  

When Philip Met Isabella

Philip Treacy’s Hats for Isabella Blow

 

 

Eccentric style icon, Isabella Blow is famous for wearing outrageous headwear – most of which was custom made by Philip Treacy. Blow and Treacy are celebrating twenty years of collaboration with an exhibition of extraordinary hats. When Philip Met Isabella will be at RMIT Gallery between 17 March and 26 April, 2003.

 

Since their first meeting in 1989, Blow has been Treacy’s friend, muse and constant source of inspiration. Many of his most surreal and sculptural hats have been made for her. “Issy never says: ‘You’ve gone too far,’” says Treacy. “She always says: ‘You haven’t gone far enough.’”

 

When Philip Met Isabella features Blow’s personal collection of Treacy hats. Exhibits include the Ship, an astonishingly realistic replica of an 18th century French ship with full rigging made from miniature buttons, the Castle, inspired by Blow’s ancestral home at Doddington, Cheshire and Ludwig of Bavaria’s magnificent palace. Gilbert and George is a fantastical concoction of pink and green lacquered ostrich feathers. Horns is a black satin replica of the horns of Blow’s flock of ancient Soays sheep. The show will also include photographs by Steven Meisel, David LaChapelle, Juergen Teller and  Mario Testino of Isabella Blow wearing Treacy’s hats.

 

Born in Ireland, Philip Treacy studied fashion design in Dublin before winning a place at the Royal College of Art. As well as founding his own successful hat business, he has made haute couture hats for such fashion houses as Chanel, Valentino, Gianni Versace and Alexander McQueen.

 

Isabella Blow has recently been appointed Fashion Director at Tatler Magazine, the UK’s high society bible.  She is one of the world’s most influential creative directors who has worked for magazines including American Vogue, Visionaire, The Face and Vogue Italia. She played an important part in nurturing the careers of many designers, including Alexander McQueen, as well as Philip Treacy.

 

When Philip Met Isabella is full of glitz and glamour as well as colour and imagination. Treacy’s hats embrace fantasy with incredible energy and reveals why he is known as the master of modern hat making.

 

Exhibition dates: 18 March and 26 April, 2003.

Location: RMIT Gallery, 344 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Gallery hours: Mon – Fri 11am – 5pm, Sat 2 – 5pm

Media Contact: Fiona Macrae: 9925 1716  fiona.macrae@rmit.edu.au

www.rmit.edu.au/departments/gallery

                        

The exhibition When Philip Met Isabella – Philip Treacy’s Hats for Isabella Blow was organised by the Design Museum, London and curated by Donna Loveday. The exhibition tour has been organised by the Design Museum, London.

 

MEISEL 1

Isabella Blow wearing

Devil Paradise Feathers by Philip Treacy

Photographer: STEVEN MEISEL © 1993

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEISEL 2

Isabella Blow  wearing

Horsehair Helmet with Swarovski Crystal Button by Philip Treacy

Photographer: STEVEN MEISEL © 1993