MY LUXURY LIFE

A chat with British designer Giles Deacon

The British designer is best known for his ephemeral couture creations – which have been sported by some of the world’s biggest stars – and for the wedding dress he crafted for Pippa Middleton last year. The new design director of Aspinal of London was in Dubai last month to launch a new collection IF YOU COULD WAKE UP ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD TOMORROW, WHERE WOULD YOU BE?

A country I have never visited before, with a fantastic culturally programmed day ahead.

YOU ARE SITTING DOWN TO THE PERFECT MEAL. WHERE ARE YOU, WHO ARE YOU WITH AND WHAT ARE YOU EATING?

In a private house with a mix of my favourite friends and family, with food prepared by Fergus Henderson, who has a restaurant called St John in London.

COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?

My favourite looks combine handmade shirts and ties, sharp tailoring, whimsical ties and handcra ed shoes.

AND YOUR FAVOURITE ITEM IN YOUR WARDROBE?

A made-to-measure Turnbull & Asser smoking jacket that I wore to the 10-year anniversary of The Dubai Mall recently.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST-EVER LUXURY PURCHASE?

A brown and pink, three-piece windowpane bespoke suit, when I was 18 years old.

ARE YOU A COLLECTOR?

I collect art by British pop artists such as Allen Jones, Eduardo Paolozzi and Richard Hamilton.

WHAT’S THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?

Behind The Throne by Adrian Tinniswood. It is a wonderful insight into the domestic history of the royal household from Elizabeth I to Elizabeth II.

WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF LUXURY?

Elegance, opulence, bespoke and the experience of uniqueness.

WHAT IS THE MOST OVERRATED LUXURY?

Immediate availability. The best things truly do come to those who wait.

IF THERE WERE A SONG THAT BEST REPRESENTED YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

A Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams

THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?

Work hard and be nice to people; it works.

WHAT’S YOUR RED-CARPET HIGHLIGHT?

My word, there have been so many. One of the most recent was Sarah Jessica Parker at the New York City Ballet’s Fall Fashion Gala. We made her a divine tomato red balloon gown, with this gorgeous big train. We were waiting for her to arrive, she didn’t arrive, she didn’t arrive, and I am thinking: “Oh, my god. There has been a malfunction, and she has had to go to Zara on the way.” And eventually she arrived and she looked extraordinary, so that was a highlight. I have been so lucky. I have dressed so many amazing women, from Cate Blanchett to Kate Hudson. Zaha Hadid was a client. Interesting woman.

IS IT FUN DRESSING YOUR PARTNER, GWENDOLYN CHRISTIE [OF GAME OF THRONES FAME]?

Yes. She is six-foot-three, and has such a great sense of style and a great sense of adventure. And she is incredibly knowledgeable as well.

TELL US ABOUT PIPPA MIDDLETON’S DRESS.

She was wonderful, and it was brilliant to get that commission. It was a beautiful dress to work on, and it was brilliant waking up the next day and seeing all the Sunday newspapers coming through on my phone. I think her and her sister are brilliant in the way they support British designers; they are phenomenal ambassadors for many British labels.

IF YOU COULD DESIGN FOR ANYONE IN HISTORY, WHO WOULD IT BE?

Cleopatra. Selina Denman