I don't like the word 'ladylike.'

I am a little obsessed with stripes.

I'm always doing everything backwards.

New Zealand is such a down-to-earth place.

I never get my hair done. I just do it myself.

I wore one of my own designs on my wedding day.

Old images and films are my main source of inspiration.

I love wearing interesting shoes that work well with my outfit.

To escape and sit quietly on the beach - that's my idea of paradise.

I'd like to think we can make a nice, glowing change to British dressing.

Red lipstick aside, I firmly believe that less is more in terms of make-up.

I love the idea of a dress or a coatdress rather than a suit with a jacket.

I strongly believe that many of the best decisions are made on gut instinct.

There's a great niche in the market for what I do, which is effortless style.

The majority of our clients are British. They want to wear things time and time again.

We do have a lot of personal relationships with people who will come to our store or showroom.

My clients can choose their own colours and fabrics to have something unique in their wardrobes.

I think I'm starting to be a little bit more appreciated or a little bit more noticed in the industry.

The most wonderful thing about having a small business is that every person we dress gets a really intimate process.

It is important that every bride feels comfortable in her chosen dress, and fabric choice has a big part to play in this.

I put myself into another world and another identity, and I design not for how my life is but for how my imaginary life is.

I want to offer a wide range of classic and contemporary bridalwear to suit all personalities, readily available to try on.

I'd say I play on old world couture as opposed to modern day bridal; there's something very timeless and appealing in that.

The minute that a celebrity wears your clothing, that gives you international exposure and the best advertising you can get.

I attended speech and drama classes with a nun to help me gain confidence in speaking without my face turning red each time.

I love the cleanness of Kaare Klint and Rud Rasmussen furniture, especially the wooden criss-cross under-bars of their sofas.

I would not dress Katie Price. Ever. It's important to keep the right look, so it's important to be dressing the right people.

I love seeing a woman in a beautiful dress and pairing it with a light shoe that shows skin - I really believe in toe cleavage.

Once, four friends and I cut all our hair off, like boys. A couple of them cried afterwards, but I thought we looked really good.

Prada Infusion d'Iris perfume - my mother wears it, so it feels like home away from home. It's lovely to smell her scent at all times.

I was so young when I started, my taste has changed and developed, and I've gone from being a little bit safe to trying different things.

The AW14 collection is inspired by Film Noir. Elements of masculinity and femininity were reflected in the fabric, tailoring, and features.

It's a huge achievement to have anyone wearing your clothes, and when they are in the limelight, it's the best advertisement for your brand.

I feel far more empowered, sophisticated, and forward-thinking in flats than in high heels. Especially when I am working and hosting meetings.

I've had women buy their entire wardrobes from me; from suits to full-length evening gowns and sophisticated day dresses, they buy everything.

Skincare is incredibly important. I try to look after my skin as much as possible because I'm always inspired by women who age gracefully and naturally.

My wedding dress was featured by 'Vogue' and 'American Town and Country,' and from there, people started to come to us because they had seen that dress.

I always think about my lifestyle when designing, so that's being a mother, being a career woman, being a wife, and being a woman who loves to entertain.

I think that we cater for the woman that wants to be fashion-forward but also wants to purchase an investment piece that she'll have in her wardrobe forever.

When I think of Bicester, I think of those beautiful pieces that you might not have been able to purchase before, but they're pieces that you'll keep forever.

I would've loved to dress Diana Vreeland. I just loved her work as a creative woman and as a business woman - unpredictable, exciting, fun, and very, very clever.

What's exciting for me is to make sure that people do still dress up - how do we do that in this fast-paced modern world, when we're all on the move and all so busy?

It's quite funny. I grew up with my mother: as a designer, she was always working, and I actually used to say to her, 'Whatever you do, never leave me your business.'

It's almost like a chintzy floral that I play on, and sometimes it can get a bad rep. It doesn't necessarily feel modern, but with different silhouettes and cuts, it can.

I don't think there's any excuse for not being able to put on a beautiful product and make yourself feel fabulous. Just have some key pieces in your wardrobe that aren't seasonal.

In the day, I wear mascara and tinted moisturiser - although I've learnt that if I'm getting my photograph taken, it's better to apply more; otherwise, I look really, really tired.

There is so much talent in British fashion: a real cookie jar of different aesthetics with designers like Mary Katrantzou, Erdem, Christopher Kane, J. W. Anderson, and Simone Rocha.

As for design, I gravitate to traditional styles but mix it with an element of surprise. Whether it's a big sash bow in the back or an unexpected fabric, it all needs to work together.

The first wedding dress I ever made was for myself. It was at a time when I had my business up and running, but it was still very early days, and I thought, 'This is my moment to do whatever I like.'

You can see that ladylike kind of dressing with a twist coming back at Dior, and I think that a lot of the fashion is following in those kinds of footsteps. It's wearable. It sits in your wardrobe forever.

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