Q- What made you choose this career path?

I have always been in love with Art & Design & been creative from a very early age. It runs in the family.

I find it fascinating seeing the development of something beautiful unfold when I paint a picture or design something new like a lamp. It is so exciting!

I love great design concepts whether it is an ornate vintage object, an exotic interior, a well cut tailored piece of clothing, a fabulous sports car or some great engineering feat. I marvel at the incredible engineering and design concepts of the 18th and 19th Centuries, like the Iron Bridge near Telford Museum, The Royal Albert Hall or the first Maseratis.

It has always been my dream to transform my paintings and designs into fashion merchandise and I finally launched my very first collection just very recently in November 2023.

Q- Where do you get inspiration for your designs?

Most of my designs are inspired from my extensive travels abroad through India, Africa, the Caribbean Islands. I lived in Karachi Pakistan when I was a child and had some incredible holidays in Kashmir on houseboats.

I was either surrounded by exotic trees and flowers in the garden or mesmerising jungle scenes in Kashmir. I love the shape of banana leaves and palm trees which I try and incorporate into much of my work. I adore Leopards and Tigers, their shape, design, movement and majestic ways so they also feature often.

Q- What’s your favourite range/piece from the collection?

My favourite range are my Silk Kaftans from my Luxury Collection. One of them is called Leopard in Moonlight which is a beautiful design, made from double silk twill, pale aqua blue in colour and beautiful to wear in the evenings for drinks or dinner parties. 

The design is of a Leopard sitting tranquility at night. Leopard’s are solitary animals preferring their own company unlike tigers that hang around in packs. There are 6 different luxury silk Kaftan designs and are all handmade to order to arrive within 3 to 5 weeks. 

Q- What are your favourite fabrics/colours/patterns to work with?

I have a thing about the colour Teal. It is so unusual. Maybe it’s because it’s the true density of colour that you find in the Jungle in its various shades that I’m so seduced by. I often use those colours when painting my own imaginary Jungle scenes.

The word Exotic is the hallmark in my work. I adore exotic patterns of lush vegetation with leopards, tigers, birds and other wildlife. I love fabrics that are predominantly natural like silk, cotton, linen, and velvets.

Q- Do you have any examples of celebrities you have worked with?

My largest collection of paintings is owned by one of the original Lehman Brother family hanging in Lyford Cay The Bahamas plus other bankers. I have also done work for some Royal Families both here and abroad. 

Q- Where have we seen your work before?

You may have seen my work in The Guardian Newspaper and a few magazine publications like House & Garden and Town and Country. 

Otherwise the most public place would be Masterworks Museum if you are ever in Bermuda. 

Q- Where can people access your products?

Online: www.DaphneStephensonShop.com | www.daphnestephenson.com