British fashion icon Blow dies at 48

LONDON, May 8 (Reuters) Flamboyant British fashion icon Isabella Blow, one of the industry's great eccentrics who launched the careers of top models and designers, has died at the age of 48.

''She was a fantastic character. It was like breathing electricity when she was in the room,'' said Geordie Greig, editor of the society magazine The Tatler where Blow worked.

''She had an amazing eye for seeking out the greatest talent and making the best results of it,'' Greig said after the death of Blow, who was reported to have been suffering from cancer and depression.

Blow, who also worked on US Vogue and The Sunday Times in London, was renowned for helping to discover Philip Treacy, one of the world's most famous milliners.

She revelled in cutting a dash -- wearing one of his veiled antler creations or sporting an extraordinary ''lobster'' hat.

The doyenne of British fashion was also credited with discovering and nurturing models Sophie Dahl and Stella Tennant and launching the career of designer Alexander McQueen.

''Her loss is deeply felt and we've had calls from all over the world, from Milan, Paris and New York. She's left a huge void in the fashion world, she'll be hugely missed,'' Greig told Reuters.

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