How Daisy has become fashion’s new one to watch
IF YOU’VE FOUND it tricky to navigate the glitchy world of waist-up dressing these past few weeks, spare a thought for Daisy Edgar-jones. Having catapulted to fame during lockdown, Daisy’s Normal People publicity tour has taken an unexpected detour from IRL to URL as red carpets, parties and live events (where the ‘rules’ are obvious) are replaced by a succession of highprofile Zoom appearances (surely even more daunting than maintaining the nation’s favourite fringe in lockdown).
Luckily for Daisy, she has a secret weapon: stylist Nicky Yates. Nicky, who is also behind Claire Foy’s contemporary glamour, started working with Daisy in February for the BAFTAS. ‘She’s lovely – down-to-earth, charming, has great style and loves fashion,’ Nicky tells Grazia. ‘The process is very collaborative; she makes everything she wears look great.’
Even before Normal People was released, Daisy was turning heads with looks that radiated a modern sensibility: elegant yet effortless, chic but not stuffy, attentiongrabbing without being attention-seeking. Note the pared-back Roland Mouret suit she wore to the designer’s A/W ’20 show during London Fashion Week and the sweeping off-the-shoulder Mother of Pearl gown she wore to the BAFTAS.
But how does that translate to lockdown’s new virtual-reality reality? Pragmatism is essential – Nicky and Daisy have had to adapt, trying out looks via Whatsapp and video messages. ‘The aim is still the same: to create a look Daisy looks and feel great in,’ Nicky explains. ‘The process has just had to be more ‘remote’. You can still easily see if a look is working or not – you just can’t call on a tailor to make any final alterations. I focused on Uk-based samples and was very grateful to the PRS who thought to bring collections back home pre-lockdown.’
Daisy’s Zoom hits have included a dress by The Vampire’s Wife and Sophie Bille Brahe diamonds, as well as a square-neck Ganni dress worn with Alighieri earrings. Nicky’s top tip for styling in these times? ‘How it looks from the waist up!’ she says. ‘Make sure there’s a pretty shoulder detail, interesting neckline or a key piece of jewellery.’ Admittedly, 2020 has been lacking in reasons to be cheerful, but consider this another reason to get excited about the end of lockdown: think how excellent Daisy’s awards season wardrobe will be.