June 8, 2009

RIP Fleur Cowles

I read with great sadness about the passing of Fleur Cowles. She launched the ground-breaking magazine Flair, which sold for 50¢ and issue but lost 75¢ per issue. It was the first magazine to be scented, in an issue on roses. (It's my greatest wish to find some copies of Flair at Book Thing!)She published the writings of people as diverse as Ogden Nash and Eleanor Roosevelt. She wrote books on topics ranging from Eva Perón to Salvador Dali. Fleur moved to the UK in the mid-1950s and remained there until her death over the weekend. Fleur Cowles, socialite, writer, editor and painter, was born on January 20, 1908. She died on June 5, 2009, aged 101.
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16 comments:

  1. MarnieJune 8, 2009 at 8:10 PM

    i will check out her obit - several summers ago i went to an amazing exhibition on Flair in nyc - i still have the gallery exhibition piece - i have been thinking that it would be a nice blog post someday -

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  2. La Maison FouJune 8, 2009 at 8:45 PM

    Oh what a wonderful life... Flair was the starting off point for a lot of tastemakers.... she will be sadly missed.
    Leslie

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  3. home before darkJune 8, 2009 at 9:30 PM

    At 101, I think we can safely say that living well is the best revenge.

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  4. Paul PincusJune 8, 2009 at 10:23 PM

    beautiful homage, meg. what an original!

    i love that image w/ cary grant! she always looked so smart. so chic.

    fleur cowles's paintings can still be bought at auction for a very reasonable price.

    she led such a brilliant and full life. still, this news today made me feel sad.

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  5. Dumbwit TellherJune 9, 2009 at 2:00 AM

    Wonderful woman & wonderful career. She lived a full & long life.

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  6. A Flair for Vintage DecorJune 9, 2009 at 6:58 AM

    What a wonderful woman! I love the pictures and reading about her magazine, Flair. Take care, Caroline

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  7. KarenJune 9, 2009 at 9:40 AM

    She was truly an inspirational woman. Thanks for paying tribute.

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  8. Topsy TurvyJune 9, 2009 at 9:42 AM

    Seems like she was a woman of courage and big ideas, and loads of style.

    –Lana

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  9. The Peak of ChicJune 9, 2009 at 10:36 AM

    Meg- I do hope you find an issue of Flair at Book Thing. I search for them on ebay, but they can be pricey- and understandably so!

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  10. UnknownJune 9, 2009 at 11:14 AM

    WoW - 101.... she sounds fascinating I will have to educate myself about her life. It certainly sounds spectacular. The image of the indoor picnic with Cary Grant is so classic.. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. Mrs. BlandingsJune 9, 2009 at 12:56 PM

    She had such an amazing life and career - an inspiration.

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  12. 72 and sunnyJune 9, 2009 at 7:50 PM

    what a loss and, as mrs blandings said, such an inspiration

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  13. soodie ::June 9, 2009 at 8:54 PM

    Too bad we didn't get to experience more of her, but as Home said... living well IS the best revenge...

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  14. mamacitaJune 10, 2009 at 12:12 PM

    She was my hero! I'm so sorry to hear about this.

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  15. ADGJune 15, 2009 at 9:33 AM

    There was one "Men's" edition of Flair. I have it on the shelf with old Esquire-Gentry and Apparel Arts Mags.

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  16. Pigtown*DesignJune 15, 2009 at 4:04 PM

    ADG... Did I mention how insanely jealous of you having this issue (or any issue of Fleur) I am???

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