Fashion's Night Out with Daphne Guinness
My heart thundered with excitement. The moment had come. As I walked into the grand foyer at Barney's New York, the energy seemed unreal. A phrase from a Bach fugue replayed in my head, as if it's contrapuntal voice would soon be realized. Anna Wintour's seminal idea to get society interested in shopping again would bring me closer to my most adored public persona. I was invited to The Foundation floor and the VIP penthouse suite at this fabled store. Excited to celebrate fashion first-hand, I never imagined the experience that lay ahead.
Daphne Guinness is the kind of entity that embodies living, breathing art. Her very being, sources of joy, pain and light cast a gripping glimpse into a soul that remains at once elusive and poetic. It is this quality I so admire about Ms. Guinness and her belief that "what's perceived is not what I am." Through fashion, we create a visual identity, creatively shading how we're viewed. I started this blog to share my own sense of fashion as personal art and awe at what I consider beautiful. To know that a veritable style icon and master of the "fashion mask" is not who we believe has always left me wanting more. However, with any major social figure, especially one as private as Daphne Guinness, one basic question looms: how are they in real life? I approached her with a sense of trepidation and glowing reverence.
"Hi Daphne, my name is Aureta." Within moments, our conversation revealed to me that the woman behind the mystique, ensconced in precious armor, tuberose and couture, was filled with kindness. Ms. Guinness was a beautiful, timid, soft-spoken person who made me laugh, reinforcing that no one is what they seem. What people confused as icy despondence was nothing but gentle awareness. Her intelligence was sharp as was the passion she had for her work. Launching "Daphne," a limited edition scent with Comme Des Garcons, she lucidly explained the inspirations behind the notes. I will cherish our time together and feel confident knowing that this unique and striking figure was always who I imagined her to be.