My London: Cath Kidston

Where do you live and why? In Chiswick, by the river. I'm a country girl at heart and it's fantastic to look out over fields and trees.

If you could change one thing about your street, what would it be? Our local deli is closing down - I would put a stop to that.

Are you a member of any club? The RSA. I only go there about once a year but I'm happy to be a paid-up member.

What was the last CD you bought? The soundtrack from O Brother, Where Art Thou?. It was disappointingly dull - not one to play in the car when you're on the motorway.

Do you have a local? The St Pierre on Black Lion Lane - they do the best steak and chips.

Where would you most like to spend a 'lost weekend' in London? I'd love to go to all the exhibitions I never get to. At the moment I really fancy the tiara exhibition at the V&A.

What keeps you awake at night? The worry of running one's own business.

What is the most beautiful London landmark? St Paul's - the scale is so extraordinary and it's so majestic.

And the ugliest? All the McDonald's - it's such a shame.

What's the last film/play you saw in London? Did you enjoy it? The Junebug Symphony at the Lyric in Hammersmith. It was a mime and contortion show - very surreal. We took a load of children and they absolutely loved it.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs? Portobello market on a Friday - there are so many talented students with stalls. Student fashion is far more inspiring than the fashion industry itself.

Where is the most intimidating place in London? My bank manager's waiting room.

What don't you leave London without? My Lakeland terrier, Stanley.

Admit to one thing you've done in London that you've never told anyone before. I am ashamed to say when I first came to London - very naive, straight from boarding school - my friends and I went through a phase of shoplifting from all the department stores.

Where did you last blow £2,000 and what was it on? I bought my partner Hugh an Apple Powerbook - I love Apple designs.

What was the last conversation you had with a London cabbie? It was a big discussion about car-jacking and how Liza Minnelli thought her car-jacker was an autograph hunter. I wouldn't notice if someone tried to hijack my car, I'm always in such a daydream.

What's the most overrated thing in London? Celebrity 'culture' and hangouts. It's so dull.

What do you miss most when you're out of London? My own bed.

Name a song/tune that you associate with London? 'London's Burning' - my partner Hugh's daughter, Jess, had it on recently all the time in the car. It drove me absolutely mad.

Which shop could you not live without? Peter Jones - it's so practical and grounded. I have a girlfriend who moved to Argentina and started fantasising about the lightbulb range.

Have you ever been refused entry anywhere? Voyage on Fulham Road - before they had their members' policy. The Mazzillis accused me of copying one of their designs and asked me to leave. They were really nasty.

Have you ever been a victim of violence in London? See above. It was the closest I've come to being mugged!

What is the most expensive meal you've had in London and who did you eat with? When I was about 19, a friend and I went to dinner with an Arab businessman. We ordered almost everything on the menu including caviar and then did a runner. God knows what it cost.

What's your favourite meal to cook at home? Jamaican jerk chicken with peas and rice is our family recipe.

What is your favourite view? I'd have to say rather smugly from my bedroom window across the river.

What and where is your favourite painting or work of art? At the moment it's the Ben Nicholson stuff in the Tate.

What last made you cry? My sister made me weep with laughter recently when she admitted to snogging someone completely unexpected when we were younger.

Where in London would you have your ashes scattered? I'd have them tipped into the Thames from my garden.

If your house were on fire, which three things would you rescue? The watch my mum left me, my Valentine's cards from Hugh and the artwork from our first mail-order catalogue six years ago. It's very DIY - all hand drawn with Tippex all over it and pictures of bathcaps which look like exploding clouds.

For shop details, visit www.cathkidston.co.uk