With her pared-back-meets-elegant approach to fashion, actor Daisy Edgar-Jones already has the industry’s most prolific designers knocking on her door, finds MOJEH
Daisy Edgar-Jones is the woman everyone is talking about. In the space of just a few weeks, the 22-year old British actress was catapulted to fame for her portrayal of Marianne Sheridan on hit Irish drama Normal People, a televised adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel of the same name. Yet in addition to her flair for acting, Edgar-Jones has also made a swift and seamless immersion into the A-list style set, most recently bagging herself a spot as the star of Jimmy Choo’s ‘In My Choos’ autumn/winter 2020 campaign.
The off-duty-glamour-inspired collection, which comprises everything from square-toe heels and bejewelled ankle boots to autumnal suede Chelsea boots, pays homage to Daisy’s laid-back yet perfectly polished style. Here, Daisy models a high-low vibe, teaming lavish tulle with biker boots, and sharp tailoring with trainers, confirming her reputation as a true style chameleon. “My golden rule to dressing up is not to have a rule,” she reveals in an interview set against the backdrop of London’s trendy Marylebone district.
“Day-to-day I like to try different things, so I don’t have a set style.” Daisy has been turning heads with her elegant yet effortless approach since before Normal People was even released, and it’s not hard to see why the 22-year-old British actress is being dubbed as fashion’s one-to-watch for 2020. From the subtle Roland Mouret suit she sported at the designer’s autumn/winter 20 show during LondonFashion Week, to the crystal-studded Miu Miu dress she wore to this year’s TV BAFTAs in London, the industry’s most prolific designers are clamouring to dress her.
Even Jimmy Choo’s creative director Sandra Choi has described her as a “modern heroine in the making,” and someone who “represents the archetypal Jimmy Choo muse for a new era.” Not bad going for a girl who says her top tip is to “fake it ’til you make it. If you pretend that everything is fine, slowly you start to believe it.”
Daisy’s love affair with fashion started at just seven years old when her 22-year-old cousin, who was studying to bea show designer, moved into the family home. “She was the coolest person, and I would try on all her shoes,” Daisy tells us. “I was devastated because my feet were always too small for them, and then she moved out. When she moved back in, my feet were too big.”
Daisy would spend her days playing dress-up with styles from her collection, and today still recognises the transformational power that accessories have in bringing a character to life. “Marianne’s accessories were so helpful because I had to track quite a lot of an age difference over four years,” she says. “For me, what really helped was the shoes, because I think the way that you walk says a lot about your character. Fashion reinforces how transformative accessories, especially shoes, can be when playing a role.”
Backing Daisy’s corner is stylist to the stars NickyYates, who has guided the actress to sartorial success and was responsible for orchestrating her first major red carpet moment at the BAFTAs in London this February, where Daisy stunned in an ethereal yet modern balloon-sleeved, off-shoulder dress by eco-conscious label Mother of Pearl.
However, much like her Normal People character,Daisy has no interest in following the crowd, preferringto rip up the fashion rule book and dress individually.“My golden rule is not to have a rule!” she says. “Day- to-day I like to try different things, so I don’t really havea set style. I think if you don’t follow any rules and justwear what makes you feel good that day, it means youcan keep on having fun.”
As for the Jimmy Choo collection itself, Daisy was particularly enamoured with the Cruz boots – the black grainy leather combat boots crafted with crystal detail she can be seen sporting in the new season campaign images. “I love how the collection includes off-duty styles as well as glamorous heels,” she adds. With lockdown easing and the awards season finally within reach, this looks set to be just the beginning of Daisy’s style journey, with plenty more extraordinary fashion moments tantalisingly within reach.
Daisy Edgar Jones wears Jimmy Choo's Autumn Winter 2020 collection; Jimmychoo.com
