Most Wanted, New LookMIDAS TOUCH
Published in Most Wanted
The Gold by Giles collection has arrived at New Look. It’s a marriage made in heaven, he tells Helen Jennings
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Giles Deacon is the bespectacled king of British fashion. Winning praise for his catwalk designs under his own-name label, this quiet, affable northerner now has celebrities and fashionistas queuing up to wear his glamorous creations. So with the launch of his fourth Gold by Giles collection exclusively for New Look, I was excited to be invited to his studio (a converted boys' school in east London, no less) to find out about the outfits we'll all be lusting after while having a good chinwag over a nice cup of tea...
HOW DID YOUR COLLABORATION WITH NEW LOOK COME ABOUT?
I'd been interested in doing a 1ine with a high-street store for some time and got on really well with the New Look team. I was keen to be very hands-on and I wanted to design with the New Look customer firmly in mind. The first Gold by Giles col1ection was very dressy, quite fun and kind of sexy as well.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE LATEST RANGE?
I went on a hilarious research trip to Los Angeles to visit some fi1m and costume hire warehouses. They had everything there from Star Trek uniforms to Victorian clothing. We got some really good ideas and then it all rol1ed from there.
WHAT'S THE LOOK?
It's body-conscious and bright. I've used some nice pleating techniques and lots of chiffon and 1ayering. One of my favourite dresses is really gorgeous with bands of three different shades of pink.
WHERE WOULD YOU WEAR IT?
I think they are very much 'going out on a Friday night' clothes. It's stuff for weddings and parties.
WHY DID YOU PICK AGYNESS DEYN TO MODEL FOR YOU?
Agyness is a pal. She’s a lovely girl and we share a northern sense of humour so she was the obvious choice to model the Gold collection. She's also got a wise head on her shoulders, works really hard and is a true professional.
SO IS AGYNESS YOUR MUSE?
Yes, she's one of them. I have six friends who I keep in mind when I'm designing. If I think at least four of them would wear something that I've come up with then it's probably a winner.
IS HIGH-STREET FASHION IMPORTANT TO YOU?
It's very important. I'm a big believer in good fashion for all. If you're a decent designer there's no reason why you can't put effort into a product that's well-cut and well-made for a reasonable price.
WHICH CELEBRITIES WEAR YOUR CLOTHES?
It's a real mix of people from the likes of Thandie Newton, who is gorgeous, to Victoria Beckham, who I love. Kylie Minogue, Lily Al1en and Joely Richardson are fans too. I'm making a party frock for Barbara Windsor at the moment. Good old Babs!
IS IT TRUE THAT YOU FELL INTO FASHION BY ACCIDENT?
Yes. I was always into art and drawing and painting but I was one of those teenagers who was really good for 0-level and really terrible for A-level. I think boys are 1ike that, aren't they? I didn't really know what I wanted to do. So I did an art foundation course, and my tutors suggested I apply to Central Saint Martins. I ended up in the same class as Hussein Chalayan. It was quite a hard slog but I'm a real grafter.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR ASPIRING DESIGNERS?
Get drawing and working hard, apply to a good col1ege and see where it takes you.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR OWN STYLE?
I quite like a nice cashmere sweater, a smart shoe and a good jacket. I'm probably a bit boring really. My favourite designers are APC, Dior and Ralph Lauren.
WHAT'S ON YOUR I POD?
At the moment I'm listening to minimal electronic music with funny scratches and clicks. But my gui1ty pleasures are Girls Aloud and the new Britney Spears album - fantastic pop.
WHAT DO YOU COLLECT?
Pens. Black ones that are all identical. And I buy an awful lot of books from charity shops. I love the prospect of having an amazing library when I'm old.
AND FINALLY, DO GIRLS MAKE PASSES AT BOYS WHO WEAR GLASSES?
Sometimes!