How did you find your personal style?
It’s been a real learning curve. Some people are innately stylish, it’s in their genes, but I’ve learnt along the way. I’m still learning now. It’s about confidence. There’s so much trial and error involved. I’m inspired by street style fashion, blogs and magazines.
When did fashion enter your consciousness?
When I was 15 there was a pink, fluffy mohair jumper in New Look. I had to have it. I bought it in the smallest size possible because I didn’t want it to cover my midriff and wore it with my boyfriend’s big, baggy skater jeans and hideous Spice Girls buffalo boots. I looked like a brothel creeper. I thought I rocked and it looked hideous. I loved that outfit. I think I wore it for a week. I thought I’d nailed it. Thanks god there are no pictures of me in it.
Did you and Cara play dress up?
When Cara was little I used to love styling her and taking pictures. Even when she was 3, she’d be in the bath with a sponge on her head posing. She always just had it. I loved dressing her up in my mum’s 80s Arabella Pollen jacket. I’d cinch a belt around her waist and whack a big hat on her and she’d love it. Then I’d teach her a dance routine. It was brilliant.
What’s been a career highlight?
When I shot the Karl Lagerfeld Little Black Jacket book with Carine Roitfeld. I remember waking up in New York that morning thinking, ‘What the hell do I wear to this? I went for denim cut-offs, ballet flats, a white vintage ruffled shirt with a black leather studded waistcoat – pared down but I guess a little bit Karl. Then I turned up on the shoot and they took me to hair and make-up and there was Eva Herzigova, Daphne Guiness, Leigh Lezark and Kirsten Dunst and I thought I was going to be sick. It was like something you could only dream up. Yoko Ono popped in as well and I remember thinking, ‘Wow! This is madness!’ That was a good day at the office.
What are your shopping habits?
If I do shop, I do it on my own. I don’t find it relaxing. Shopping for me has to have a purpose. I’m instinctive and careful about what I buy. I’m not the kind of girl who shops and then leaves the shopping in the hallway for two weeks. If I buy it, I’m going wear it the next day.
What are your style rules?
I always ask my fiancée or my dad. I really value a man’s opinion, not because I dress for men more than I dress for women. My dad just knows it. He’s looking at it unaware of fashion and trends. He’s just thinking about what looks good. He’ll just say, ‘That looks great, Pops.’ Or ‘Maybe you should wear flats with that.’ They’re my secret weapon, the men in my life.
Tell us about your role as Young Ambassador for the British Fashion Council.
The BFC approached me and unleashed my passion. I meet new, young designers, visit their studios, see their work and make suggestions. I’ve been in the industry for eight years so I feel like I’m in a good position to give gentle feedback, nurture and encourage them. I go to their shows, support them and wear their clothes. It’s about supporting British fashion and what it stands for. I live and breathe fashion.
You’ve been to loads of shows. Tell us about a favourite.
Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2012. I mean seriously, the LV Express. I never thought I would see anything like that in my life. They literally transported us out of time into a magical, mental new world.
What have you been coveting for Autumn/Winter 2012?
A black lace and floral print shirt by Erdem, green velvet cigarette pants from Chanel, with silver embroidery, Iodised silver spike earrings with red stones by Dominic Jones and anything from the Dolce & Gabbana collection
Who are your designers to watch?
Michael Van Der Ham, Antipodium, Zoe Jordan, Fashion East and Emilia Wickstead
See Poppy Delevingne's London Fashion Week wardrobe diary for ELLEuk here
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