She has amassed an incredible collection of clothes during her life as a fashion muse. And now, Daphine Guinness is auctioning 102 items from her couture-packed wardrobe in memory of her close friend Isabella Blow, who committed suicide five years ago. Treasures by Balenciaga, Prada and Christian Lacroix will be among the lots offered, estimated to bring a total in the region of £100,000.
Perhaps the most valuable item to be auctioned at Christie’s in London next week is a structured, silver creation (pictured above), which was custom-made for Daphne by the late Alexander McQueen. It is expected to fetch between £15,000 and £20,000, with a portrait of the 44-year-old wearing the dress included. Daphne is an heiress of the brewing family and former wife of a billionaire shipping tycoon. The striking blonde is known for her cutting-edge outfits that eschew comfort for originality and flair. She is also renowned for her outspoken nature, once shocking reporters who inquired about her slender frame by telling them it was necessary to fit into high fashion garments. “I’ll eat when I’m dead!” she declared. The news of her auction comes just two years after Daphne controversially halted the planned sale of Isabella’s wardrobe at Christie’s by buying the entire collection. At the time, she explained that splitting up the fashion editor and stylist’s collection would have been ‘carnage’. Now, Daphne is hoping to set things right by giving up part of her fabled wardrobe. "It gives me enormous satisfaction," she said, "that my seemingly impetuous decision to purchase the entirety of Isabella's collection is now clearly going to set a few injustices to rights." All takings will go to The Isabella Blow Foundation, a charity created by Daphne which supports young artists and designers, as well as funding research into bipolar disorder and mental health issues.