My mother was a housewife. My father worked in the agriculture business, but they were very encouraging about everything. When I said I wanted to do art, they were very supportive.

I liked natural history. I liked the outdoors. And I found the sea quite interesting.

That era of designers being away with the fairies is gone... You've got to live in the real world.

With couture, the great thing is that each piece has its own character, and you have space to explore and continue themes season after season.

It's important to offer well-thought-out pieces at lower prices.

With couture, it means I get to show fall in July with delivery in September. My clients will be getting their pieces in season.

Single-sex private schools, especially in the middle of nowhere on a bleak hill in County Durham - I don't think they make sense.

I don't believe in a recipe for success. You have to work hard; you may not always get it right - you have to bounce back from situations, and you have to be really focused and determined. It's important to have fun as well. Work shouldn't be a torture.

If you've invested money in buying a piece, you don't want it to just disintegrate. We all have that first wash anxiety, when that great t-shirt you've just bought shrinks away to nothing.

There are some great skinny girls, but it's about characters, isn't it? That's what I find attractive. People who've had interesting lives and tell you something that you don't know or are really good fun.

I don't like acres of faceless girls walking.

I'll spend a couple of days in Paris, a couple back in London, some time at the factory in Italy... I like travelling, but it can be a struggle to get home for weekends.

The natural world is a source of inspiration.

For me, green is more about cycling than recycling.

I liked the fact DAKS was an unknown quantity. It's more like Gucci before Tom Ford got there. There's a lot you can do.

People don't necessarily realise that there can be just as much work on a quiet jacket as an overblown gown.

Pretty much hated school. I never really found my footing. I just didn't like lessons.

We design for a whole range of ages and body types, and we always have done. What's great about us is that the common thing that they all like is an accessible eccentricity of an accessible flamboyance, and I think the super thing about that, it isn't age-specific: you're not only dressing 25-year-olds; we're dressing women from 25 to 65+.

I like characters in life, generally; I don't like to see a collection modelled on a homogeneous look. That terrifies me.

I like women to have life, personalities. Women who would perhaps cause some trouble on a night out and have a lot to say for themselves.

Rooney Mara is someone I'd like to dress; we've not worked with her before and she certainly has very interesting personal style.

The name Holly Fulton has become synonymous with daring, bold graphic prints which you just know if you wear you'll have a brilliant time in.

I went to public and state schools - not at the same time. I did my art foundation course at Harrogate College of Arts. This brilliant tutor suggested I apply to Central Saint Martins. I adored it.

I don't really have a mentor.

My longest collaborative working relationship is with Katie Grand, the editor-in-chief of 'Love' magazine. Katie's an inspiration and a sounding block. She's got such great taste.

You take it very seriously when you start any project, but not everything in life ends up where you think it's going to be.

People often think that the world fashion is so full of a certain pretense that it can't just be about going for something because it suits you and looks great, and it's nicely cut and is made of beautiful fabric. You know, if it has a bit of lightness and playfulness to it, then I think people just respond to that really well.

Everybody's got a lot to their personalities. You're not just one element. There are some days you want something that can be a bit stricter or a bit more disciplined or something a bit more floaty and a bit freer.

Women I've known have always been quite strong and confident women. Sure, I've got some friends who aren't so overtly confident, or at least don't appear that way. But when you get to know them, they are very much so.

Making your own clothes is great - but don't make everything, or I'll be out of a job!

'Irony' is such an over-used word.

DAKS is a much more restrained silhouette, and there's a real emphasis on daywear, outerwear, and tailoring. It's more stripped-down.

I'm interested in women who have got character and experience and an opinion about things.

I love London. Wherever I've lived, I've always had my flat here.

I very much like Christopher Kane. He actually did a work placement with me, and you could spot his talent straight away.

Due to the hectic, non-stop nature of my work, I'm always using my BlackBerry to stay in touch with my studio, wherever I am.

The women that wear my clothes would want a pink BlackBerry in their handbag.

We want to be the go-to business for super-special daywear and eveningwear, to focus on what we are known for and what our customers want from us.

I did an art foundation course, and I knew I wanted to do something in a creative field. And fashion just seemed like the most fun.

I didn't set out wanting to be a fashion designer from the age of 3. It wasn't that kind of dream.

Some things can be quite stupid yet interesting. Life can be like that.

I have an art-school background, not a fashion background where it's like, 'Oh, we're going on holiday to Miami.'

I go to contemporary galleries all around the world when I can. There's always something historical and something contemporary; those are my rock references.

I'd really love to dress Lauren Bacall. She's incredibly interesting - a gorgeous, stylish woman with a strong personality.

If a piece is individually made to measure, then it's couture.

I believe in the democracy of design.

I don't like po-faced fashion.

My parents weren't into fashion. I didn't have an eccentric granny who mixed lace mantillas with tweed.

I am more interested in people's attitude than someone who is a perfect face. Every time I walk the streets of London, I see someone who interests me. It doesn't matter how old they are.

I can be very modern and experimental.