Daniel Lismore On Becoming Homeless And Protesting With Vivienne Westwood

Dubbed ‘England’s most eccentric dresser’, Daniel Lismore is a creative and campaigner who lives as a work of art. For C&TH‘s last issue of the year, he spoke to Evie Calver about everything from climate protesting with Vivienne Westwood to his hatred for heels.

Q&A: Daniel Lismore

What’s bringing you joy at the moment?

My friends who are fighting for LGBTQ+ people and their rights. They’re hardcore activists doing good work and it’s bringing me real hope. Working with them is amazing – we’re actually making things happen.

What’s annoying you most right now?

Queer people’s existence being questioned by people like JK Rowling and the government. It’s causing people to hide rather than go out and live their true lives. There’s so much hatred around.

Advice you’d give to your 15-year-old self?

You’ll get there, but whatever that means, don’t stop being you. And just because someone is right about one thing, it doesn’t mean they’re right about everything.

What could you have been arrested for?

Any of the protests I’ve been on. When I worked with Vivienne Westwood on her Climate Revolution campaign, we wished the police would just arrest us. Vivienne knew they would never come for her but really wanted them to.

A moment that changed everything?

When I suddenly lost everything and became homeless. One week I was living in Knightsbridge with a fashion label working with celebrities like Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, and the next I was thinking about ending my life. I called my mum and said: ‘You’re not going to hear from me.’ That’s when I came up with the idea of my exhibition, Be Yourself; Everyone Else Is Already Taken, which opened at SCAD FASH a month later and has now travelled around the world. It changed my life forever and saved me in so many ways.

Where do you go to escape?

Iceland. It’s so peaceful and everyone just minds their own business, which is rare when you dress as elaborately as I do. It’s a place that makes me feel like I can just be myself without the world judging me.

You wouldn’t know it but…

I’m a total astronomy nerd. I’ve spent my whole life looking at the stars and in lockdown I started to learn the constellations and locations of all the planets in the night sky.

What does sustainability mean to you?

As a climate activist I use my platform to put information out there and do my best to make change. I’ve helped save thousands of acres of rainforest and helped stop fracking in the UK, but I’m also really picky with what I buy and how much I travel. And I do my best to educate my friends who use private jets.

How do you live a life in balance?

I believe in centring your mental health, which painting has helped me with massively. And even though I’m notorious for being at nearly every single event on the planet, I don’t party hard. I just try to get to know everyone in the room.

Your greatest triumph?

Whenever I’ve been able to use my ridiculous privilege to help others through activism.

Your greatest failure?

Wearing heels. It’s a struggle to go a whole night without breaking them or breaking my neck.

Quick Fire Favourites

Scent? My homemade perfume, with notes of death and white florals.

Box Set? The Star Trek films.

Chocolate? Maltesers.

Song? My Love Is Your Love by Whitney Houston.

Dish? Porridge with honey or berries.

Gadget? My phone. It never leaves my hand.

Restaurant? Claridge’s.

Holiday? Cairo. It’s full of wonder.