ISABELLA BLOW ON DAMARIS

“Damaris lingerie, it’s like a Bentley between your legs.” — Isabella Blow

Working with Issy at the beginning of my career was one of my first introductions to the extraordinary world of high fashion, and an utter joy.

I was rather starstruck initially, but she was so wonderfully grounded, funny and generous that it soon disappeared. We were simply two girls talking about knickers, albeit the most luxurious, no-expense-spared knickers imaginable.

Issy commissioned me to create one-off pieces for herself and for fashion shoots, including a rather extraordinary pair of knickers encrusted with Swarovski crystals for TatlerThey later appeared at an exclusive exhibition and retail event at Selfridges, priced at £650 — an extraordinary sum at the time. Today, they’d probably be closer to £3,000.

Issy was an early champion of Damaris, celebrating my bow-backed knickers and calling me the “Queen of Lingerie.”

This wonderful recording of Issy discussing Damaris comes from the Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore project, curated by Alistair O’Neill in 2013 for SHOWstudio.

A very special voice, and an even more special person.

With thanks to Tamara Cincik for bringing this recording to my attention.