Daphne Guinness regards her clothes as "armour".

Gareth Pugh creates a lot of garments for the designer, and says she is a very shy person who uses her wardrobe to deflect attention away from herself.

He said: "I make a lot of clothes for Daphne - she's actually quite shy and uses her clothes as armour. She told me her ideal piece of clothing is a coat to make her invisible. My spring/summer 2011 show epitomised that, using silver material like camouflage."

Despite his success, Gareth admits he has had to undertake a "very steep learning curve" to get to where he is in his career, including a challenging internship.

He recalled: "I briefly interned with Rick Owens straight out of Central St. Martins.

"I sewed in labels and made Lucinda Chambers [Vogue fashion director] cups of tea.

"But it was a real eye-opener - a very steep learning curve."

Gareth has teamed up with MAC for a new make-up collection and says the items he has created perfectly complement his fashion range.

He explained to Stylist magazine: "Mac gave me creative control. Even the inside of the products are like the printed lining of my accessories range."