DESCRIBE WHAT YOU’RE WEARING: It’s a John Rocha silk dress with pearl collar that I bought in his shop in London. The jewellery includes a cuff from Sonia Rykiel and earrings by Schiaparelli that I bought in a vintage shop in Paris called Renaissance. The gold bracelet comes from the same place. The shoes are Prada wedges.
WHAT’S THE MOST EXPENSIVE THING YOU’VE EVER BOUGHT? A black silk dress by Balenciaga, which I bought in a sale in Brown Thomas and will wear forever.
DO YOU SHOP A LOT? Well, I am always looking because I am shopping for clients all the time. The secret is to be observant.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE SHOPS? Costume; Reiss for its excellent tailoring and cut at affordable prices; Havana; Brown Thomas and Jenny Vander.
DO YOU HAVE ANY STYLE ICONS? Anna Wintour (editor of US Vogue) because she has a very definite sense of the style that suits her and never compromises her look.
DESCRIBE YOUR OWN STYLE? I have a sense of myself, and a personal signature. I know what suits me and I always like to look elegant. My motto is that life is too short not to be beautiful every day. I am very rooted in the style of the late 1950s.
WHAT ARE COMMON MISTAKES THAT CLIENTS MAKE? Impulse shopping, and buying things because they are in fashion but don’t suit their body shape. I don’t reject fashion trends, but I use a very critical sieve. Fashion is what you are offered, style is what you choose.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD NEVER WEAR? I would never wear jeans. I don’t do casual. I think style is about finding what works for you and sticking to it; knowing your assets. My assets are good legs, so why wear jeans? And I have a small waist, so why not emphasise that?
DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTICULAR WEAKNESS? I adore vintage, and the 1950s is my favourite decade – it is still being interpreted today. It was the pinnacle of fashion elegance. It is impossible not to look good in 1950s styles.
HAVE YOU ANY FASHION TIPS? If there is no comfort, there is no elegance. And I can’t live without Spanx body control underwear. It really makes a difference and transforms your silhouette. It’s essential.
HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR CLOTHES?
I put my clothes in suit covers and use the appropriate hangers. The first thing I do with clients is to get rid of all those wire hangers and replace them with wooden and padded hangers.
YOUR FAVOURITE DESIGNERS? Peter O’Brien because he is steeped in the tradition of couture. I also love Roland Mouret, and John Rocha because he reinterprets the past using today’s fabrics and technology.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST FASHION ADVICE? If you buy something, wear it. Don’t keep it for special occasions – just wear it. When you look good, you feel good. Buy less, but buy better.