oh Daphne

Fashion icon goddess is  Daphne Guinness, was recently “laid in state” by  Gareth Pugh  to showcase her  most recent collaboration with jeweler, Shaun Leane.  Miss Guiness who loves to put on a show always, loves her theatrical installations. I think she has outdone herself this time!  In typical  Guinness fashion she was laid out in a see thru Alexander McQueen bodysuit with an antique veil.  The only exposed body part was her arm in a one-of-a-kind chain mail glove made of gold and diamonds. This piece is for sale for 1.7 million bucks!   It's made of 18 carat white gold.    To create the glove, the two used 5,000 pave white diamonds to make a flock of birds and branches. This “labor of love” as they refer to it, is their rendition of a 21st century decorative armor and is only the beginning. Guest to the unique experience event included Tom Ford, Gareth Pugh, Tom Bowles, Sara Buys, Lily Cole, Sarah Burton, Sabrina Guinness, Paul Simonon and Vicky Sarge.

Contra Mundum - is  Latin for “Against the World:" it took over five years for this to beauty to be created. , the pavé white diamonds, set in the shape of a bird formation, and weighing over a thousand grams in 18ct white gold are stunning. Made in two parts, the cuff can be worn alone as a hand glove, or extended into an evening glove. Every detail in the piece, including the chainmail, has been carefully constructed by hand to ensure a perfect fit to Ms. Guiness's arm. The glove was molded from Daphnes' own hand, and is a stylized armour made of precious metals, studded with gems.

Delicate chainmail forms the foundation of this highly fantastical gauntlet; each ring looped in one by one to create an exact formation tailored to the individual. Striking diamond birds cascade around the arm, as though caught in mid-flight. Skilfully supporting the framework is a shimmering diamond branch that elegantly wraps around the upper arm. The hand is protected with a bold metal cuff, hand-forged and beautifully engraved. Birds are layered on the surface of the cuff amongst the sculpted branches. Carved in gold and set with diamonds, they soar among the delicate engraving as though liberated by the blowing wind.

For them it has become less a fashion item, more a work of art, something that pushes the boundaries of fine jewellery and symbolises their friendships with each other, and with Blow and McQueen, who was to design a spectacular dress to go with the glove.  Contra Mundum: " It’s about wanting to watch, but not wanting to be seen. I feel it’s a pact, if that makes any sense. And I’m not sure I could wear it to go out now, because it means too much.’