In an exclusive announcement, British writer, director, and producer Alex Marx is set to make his feature debut with “The Queen of Fashion,” a biopic chronicling the life of fashion icon Isabella Blow. Academy Award nominee Andrea Riseborough will produce and star in the lead role.
“The Queen of Fashion” will delve into the highs and lows of Blow’s life as she championed unknown and marginalized fashion figures like Alexander McQueen and Philip Treacy while battling undiagnosed bipolar disorder. The project, which has been in development for eight years, will be sold internationally by Rocket Science at Cannes, with CAA Media Finance handling financing and domestic rights.
Riseborough will portray Blow, leading a stellar supporting cast including Emilia Clarke, Richard E. Grant, Fionn O’Shea, and Hayley Atwell. Additional key roles are still being cast, including Isabella’s husband Detmar Blow, her mother Helen Delves Broughton, Alexander McQueen, and journalist Michael Roberts.
Blow’s career in fashion began at Guy Laroche in Texas before she joined Vogue as an assistant to Anna Wintour and André Leon Talley. She later returned to London, where she worked for Tatler and The Sunday Times Style magazine. Notable moments include her discovery of McQueen and her collaboration with Treacy.
Towards the end of her life, Blow’s mental health deteriorated, leading to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and battles with ovarian cancer. She died by suicide in 2007.
Marx expressed his admiration for Riseborough’s talent and courage, noting his excitement to see her portray Blow on screen. Marx, who has previously worked as an actor and acting coach, has developed “The Queen of Fashion” over the past eight years.
Riseborough, known for her Oscar-nominated performance in “To Leslie,” is set to star in HBO’s limited series “The Regime” and “Alice and Jack.” She is represented by CAA, Independent Talent Group, and Untitled Entertainment.
“The Queen of Fashion” is produced by Matthew Rhodes for The Hideaway Entertainment, alongside Elise Freeman for Mystic Dawn Media, Andrea Riseborough for Mother Sucker, Robert Ogden Barnum, and Catrin Lewis Defis. Executive producers include Alison Owen, Jonathan Gray, and Ryan Cassells for The Hideaway Entertainment, Thorsten Schumacher, Claire Taylor for Rocket Science, and Jason Tan. Cinematography will be handled by Stephen Goldblatt, with British musician Laura Mvula composing the music.
Rhodes expressed excitement about Marx’s vision as a filmmaker and Riseborough’s dedication to her performances, making the project promising to be a part of.
