My London: Christopher Kane

The designer would like to buy Central Saint Martins and is inspired by Miuccia Prada
Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock
Lily Worcester16 March 2017

Home is…

East London. I’ve lived and worked in Dalston for almost 11 years. I started my business in a bedroom on Dalston Lane with my sister Tammy. My studio is a 15 minute walk from my house, which is handy. It’s a very unpredictable part of London and has become super-trendy but it hasn’t lost its realness.

What’s the first thing you do when you come back to London?

Put my pyjamas on and relax on the couch with a good film.

What’s the last play you saw?

Cinderella at Christmas with my niece Bonnie. It was funny, with great costumes… but there were too many gay innuendos.

Earliest London memory?

I’ll always remember going to Camden and shopping in Rokit with ‘Like A Prayer’ by Madonna blasting. Everyone was dancing and having the best time.

Last album you bought?

Agrippina Opera Arias by Ann Hallenberg.Classical opera may sound boring, but I heard it on a flight and it helped me relax as I hate flying. Hallenberg has an insane voice.

Building you’d like to be locked in overnight?

The thought of being locked in a museum freaks me out. I’m too superstitious for that. But my arm could be twisted with the promise of a prowl around the V&A fashion archives.

What do you collect?

Name cards from every fancy dinner I’ve been to. I love that they’re handwritten. There have been some awkward moments and great laughs at each one.

Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

I remember watching Miuccia Prada on a CNN documentary saying: ‘You can’t be creative every day — it will drive you mad’, which is so true. I also love Winston Churchill’s quote: ‘If you’re going through hell, keep going’.

Most romantic thing someone’s done for you in London?

I’m a simple person when it comes to romance. Walking in the park with my boyfriend or a home-cooked meal do it for me.

Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo

If you could buy any building in London, which would it be?

The old Central Saint Martins buildings. Being surrounded by the craziest and most creative people are memories I will always treasure.

Where do you go to let your hair down?

I love house parties but I now have a Boston terrier, Bruce Tito and I find it hard to leave him on his own.

Favourite club?

It pains me that The Astoria has gone. I grew up there as a student — it was the best venue with a deep musical history. The new wave of pubs like The Glory and Queen Adelaide have been a saviour to the East End gay community.

Christopher Kane and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast capsule collection launches on March 16 (christopherkane.com)

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