We are going LIVE on Instagram, in conversation with fabric sculptor, designer, and campaigner, Daniel Lismore, on Tuesday 8 September at 6.30pm (BST). Described by Vogue magazine as “England’s most eccentric dresser”, Daniel is best-known for his flamboyant dress sense serving a form of statement, sculpture and even armour.

Angie Wyman, Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery Degree, will be in conversation with Daniel, discussing his passion for embroidery and textiles, and his fascinating, creative journey and career. Last autumn, he was the Costume Designer for the English National Opera’s ‘The Mask of Orpheus’ at London’s Coliseum, where he used hundreds of thousands of upcycled Swarovski crystal and pearls in many of the 70+ costumes, recycling as much as possible.

Daniel has been extremely supportive of the RSN and our Hand Embroidery Degree, posing for our students to paint portraits of him and visiting the End of Year Graduate Show last summer. Inspired by art in all its forms, he combines multiple inspirations from around the world into vibrant expressions of cultural appreciation. He has exhibited at the Venice Biennale as well as in Reykjavík Iceland, Naples Italy and Poznań Poland.

Daniel was a speaker at ‘TED2019: Bigger Than Us’ in Vancouver, Canada, and his talk was entitled ‘My life as a work of art’. He said: “I have come to realise that confidence is a concept you can choose. I have also come to realise that authenticity is necessary and powerful. I have spent time trying to be like other people. It didn’t work. It is a lot of hard work not being yourself.”

Always working on new projects, please join us to hear how Daniel has kept focused and creative during lockdown, offering inspiration to everyone!

We are taking questions in advance relating to Daniel’s passion for the art of hand embroidery and why it inspires the world around him. Please email your questions to [email protected]. Our ‘In Conversation With…’ will be live on the RSN Instagram channel.