Daphne Guinness is a a name we don't hear about much down under. You may be familiar with 'Guinness' though - yes, she's of the beer family. I came across Daphne Guinness in the society pages in Vogue, her image just leapt out at me and piqued my interest with her amzing two-tone hair and haute couture outfits. She always seemed to be hanging out with the coolest people - Isabella Blown, Tom Ford, McQueen, John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier. Then in 2008 I picked up this Italian vogue in Whitcoulls with Daphne on the cover and the shoot inside by Steven Klein blew me away.
Daphne was a Muse of Alexander McQueen, her ice queen looks, tiny stature and and shock of white hair & skin making her the perfect dolly for mcQueen to dress up in his outrageous, theatrical designs.
(She is the mysterious veiled gold figure, far left at the tribute to Alexander McQueen which opened London Fashion Week)
I can see why - she has this glacial cool and always seems to be groomed within an inch of her life. Posh may be seen in flats and barefoot on the beach, but not Ms Guiness! I love her latest quote:
“You know, the last blizzard, in December, I wore these (seven-inch-high) shoes and I walked twenty blocks in them, and then I tried to walk back and it was so cold. And my best friend Robin was like, You’re going to break your neck in those shoes. And I was sliding a bit, but I have a very steady walk,” she told us. “Shit happens. I guess I could break my neck tomorrow.”
My sister's blog on Madonna inspired me to do this Blog. Madonna was probably my first fashion icon...I'd go to the haberdashery department of our local department store and buy yards of ribbon to tie in my hair and cheap crucifix earrings from local jewellery store 'LimeLitze' - resulting in me being bailed up by the deputy school principal and told to remove my jewellery & big red lace bow as, it made me look like 'a rooster'. I used to dress up little sis in lace, net tees from Esprit and do a nice 'bruised eye' using Mum's purple eyeshadow and look replete with Madonna mole, drawn on with eyeliner. fun times! This Blog is dedicated to my dear friend Krissy, the biggest Madonna fan you will ever meet who has some of the most amaaaaazing memorabilia!
I was obsessed with Desperately Seeking Susan and used to dream about the boots featured. Madonna was the epitome of cool - her vintage/punk/rock-chick style, the way she dried her underarms under the hand dryer, her crazy job as a magician's assistant, living that kind of New York boho fairytale I have always loved. I watched it again last year and it's amazing how the fashion is quite current at the moment with the whole 80's revival - very rock/SoHo/New York. Not all 80's fashion was ugly - I loved the 'pixie' stiletto boots, studded belts & leather, lace bras & bustiers, Ray Ban Wayfarers, dark eyes, men's suit jackets, leggings, hand-fulls of bangles, crucafix jewellery, pearls. And lace always comes around again. Check out some stills below.
I haven't always loved Madonna's various looks (Geisha, 80's leotard monstrosity) - but here are a few of my firm faves.
Fresh-faced ingenue in 1982
I had this pic on my wall - crop top, midriff and rosary/crucafix. Classic 80's!
The Boy Toy, 1983
'Papa Don't Preach' Vid - I wanted this T.Shirt, 1986
Blonde Bombshell for The Girlie Show tour, 1993
Madonna in lolly-pink Versace with Carlos shortly after her pregnancy announcement 1995
One of my all time fave looks - in Tom Ford for Gucci, 1995
The Evita phase, immaculate in 40's style, 1996
Dolce corset dress, 1997
The Cowgirl Phase, 1998. Love a plaid shirt & boots!
In Karen Walker trousers & Helmut Lang tank, 1999
Newlywed in Mrs Ritchie Jacket, 2001
First tour in 8 years, Drowned World 's cyber-punk look designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, 2001
Suited with JT for 'Four Minutes', 2008
More fabulous suits (& above with Stella McCartney) - Madonna does man-style with aplomb
Dolce & Gabbana ads, 2010
