It was champagne and Italian canapés all round at the launch of Alberta Ferretti’s first ever fragrance last week. On a beautiful summer’s evening (remember those?) at The Orangery in Kensington Gardens, we mingled with models and fellow editors in celebration of the new scent, simply called Alberta Ferretti. (Quick preview: top notes of lily, freesia and sweet pea are balanced by heady amber and patchouli, and we liked the way the initial burst of sweetness gave way to a lingering veil of spiciness on our skin.)

After listening to Alberta speak about her inspiration for the fragrance – the kind of confident, modern woman who wears her dresses, we made our way through the crowd of models sporting her designs, each one representing a different note in the perfume, to grab five minutes with Mrs F herself (teeny tiny even in towering heels but with a fabulous blow dry that made her hair look like a cloud of spun sugar):

Q: What’s your favourite summer hot spot?

I love the Mediterranean Sea, particularly the islands of Tirreno, and I love Greece and Croatia.

Q: And your beach bag essentials?

I always have my sarong, a barrier cream and snorkelling equipment.

Q: If you could only eat one thing in the summer what would it be?

Every flavour of ice cream.

Q: And to wash it down?

Champagne.

Q: Where do you go to pamper yourself?

On my boat Prometej.

Q: Do you have a strict beauty regime?

I swim and work out and I also use a moisturizing cream for face and body.

Q: Where do you stay when you’re in London?

At Claridge’s.

Q: When did you first realise you wanted to be a designer?

I’ve always wanted to; since I used to play with fabrics in my mother’s atelier, surrounded by their smell and their whoosh.

Q: What’s your idea of a perfect day?

I’m very curious, I always look for something new: I love reading a book, watching films and going to exhibitions.

So there you have it. La Dolce Vita according to Alberta.