The Tamesis
How did she get it right?
Again, I think she always stays true to herself. I think she always knew where she was going and how she needed to present herself. It didn’t affect her life. There was no one team holding it together. It was complicated, but for her, somewhat relaxed and well thought out. That’s not all she is. It’s a part of her, something she enjoys and appreciates. She’s also very comfortable in khakis and a T-shirt, and I think that’s why the Yohji gown and those things seemed so appropriate because she’s so poised and has incredible grace and humor and incredible beauty.
You designed Caroline’s wedding dress, which I’m sure you’ve talked about a million times, but was it a collaborative effort?
I gave her a few ideas and she thought one of them was too architectural, so she pulled the neckline lower and a dress was born. For me, it was the love of my life marrying the love of her life, so it was a very heartfelt, touching moment. I remember going to the Odeon and having a Cosmos with her in the bar and she told me that John had proposed and would I make her clothes? This is a very exciting time in our lives.
Sometimes when you design a collection, or when a show or exhibition launches that has been years in the making, it somehow reaches a moment that feels like it was meant to be, even if that wasn’t the intention. Caroline always resonates, but how does she speak to the present?
We currently live in an unreal world, where nothing is really what you see, whether it’s artificial intelligence or television. I think it all gave me some relief and a chance to breathe. It’s refreshing when you read a good book that’s actually written by someone, or when you see someone like Caroline who’s not trapped, who’s completely real, who’s completely real. It’s even more striking today because it doesn’t exist today. We don’t see much.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
