Daphne Guinness Instagram – It can be a challenge to answer the question, “Where is that from?” Most of the time, what I am wearing is something I have worked on myself, whether it’s a complete redesign or starting from scratch. From early childhood, I was collecting fabric, cutting, and sewing—making dresses out of plastic or a bolt of dead stock fabric. Whatever I could get away with. My school uniform was darned and repaired with safety pins and graffiti sewed into the lining. I suppose it became a work of art and a part of me. For me, aesthetics and culture are things to be nourished and practiced through never-ending refinement on a theme. I have several collections waiting to happen in my head. Some are already drawn, some still taking form from nebulous half realized sketches. There’s always a way to micro-tune a seam, add or subtract superfluous over-design. I will take a pair of scissors and cut things off and replace them. To me, the inside is the most fascinating part, in the world of constructing a garment. Equilibrium and proportion in design are essential. To get the simplest design executed perfectly is what I do. The rest is decoration. Whatever I do, I make ease of wear an essential part. Fabrics are essential, as are the deployment of design elements which often act as optical illusions that are employed to keep lightness and fluidity without the weight and scale overwhelming the garment. When doing something again and again, one realizes there is always scope to fine-tune and improve. I may be speaking of Chanel here, but I have worked with many people and craftsmen. I have worked with every different budget known to man. Taste, imagination, and patience are three of the most important elements—the most important is taste. There is no right or wrong in questions of taste, it is particular to every artist. The beauty of human beings is every person sees or experiences something in their own way. I can only be true to my vision. Each garment I have made is an education in all of the above, and the friends I have made along the path are too numerous to mention. This sequined coat has many stories to tell… I hope you enjoy it!