was to be sold by the auction house Christieâ€s

newly announced muse for and face of Nars Cosmetics†fall campaign

The late Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow in a photo by David LaChapelle

“The planned sale at Christie’s could only result in carnage, as souvenir seekers plundered the incredible body of work Issie had created over her life,” the statement said. “Indeed, in many ways, the auction would not be merely a sale of clothes; it would be a sale of what was left of Issie, and the carrion crows would gather and take away her essence forever.”

Guinness†interpretation of Blowâ€s wardrobe as a symbol of the life of the woman she affectionately called “Issie” seems fair given the famous editorâ€s devotion to fashion and impressive collection. Guinness said she consulted Blow’s family, including hat designer Philip Treacy – for whom Blow served as a muse, Lady Amanda Harlech and David LaChapelle before committing to purchase the entire collection, and she said they supported her decision. She also said she plans to preserve the collection the way she believes Blow would have wanted it to be kept. {LookBooks}

“I would like this unique collection, marked by her grace and the fact it was so intimately hers, to allow people (whether students, lovers of fashion, historians) to remember her and benefit from her legacy, when we who knew and loved Issie are no longer here,” Guinness said. “In this way all of Issie’s friends, known or unknown, near or far, both those she chose and those who identify with her, will have access to something that no one should be afraid to call by its proper name: Isabella Blow’s Work of Art.”

Based on this statement, we hope to eventually see Blowâ€s collection displayed for the public in a museum – perhaps at the V&A Museum in London where Grace Kellyâ€s wardrobe was recently shown. Christieâ€s did not do anything wrong by intending to auction Blowâ€s clothing, but we are pleased to know there may be the opportunity to view the collection in its entirety at some point, thus offering a glimpse into Blowâ€s life as well as the beauty of the pieces she accumulated.

At left,the $106.5 million Nude, Green Leaves and Bust. At right, the $9.3 million Woman with the Large Hat, Bust

Don’t misunderstand us – $9.3 million, the amount Sotheby’s sold Woman with the Large Hat, Bust for at auction, is roughly $9.3 million dollars more than anyone’s ever paid for our portrait. But considering that Nude, Green Leaves and Bust, the painting inspired by Picasso’s mistress Marie-Thérèse Walter, broke records with its $106.5 million price tag at Christie’s, there could be some question of self worth. {ArtsBeat}

Fortunately, all involved are departed, so there won’t be any uncomfortable silences to worry about over dinner. Why the gap in price though? The $106.5 million painting is from 1932, considered one of the best periods of Picasso’s career. At more than 5 feet wide, it’s not at all understated and fairly identifiable. Woman with the Large Hat, Bust was created in 1965, and has a great history (Patricia Kennedy Lawford, President Kennedy’s sister, had the painting for more than 50 years), but doesn’t have the same instantly recognizable surrealist elements.

The record breaking painting, and even the more modest $9.3 million sale are seen as positive indications of the direction of the art market. Just last year, another Picasso painting expected to go for $24 million couldn’t find a buyer. While there are still hints of trepidation in the financial markets, many feel that art is set for a comeback, particularly as the collector’s market in Asia grows. {New York Times}