Natalia Vodianova - My London

Where is your favourite place to swim?
I love the pool at our mill house, close to London. I also love the beaches in Uruguay and playing in the waves with the kids.

What kind of swimwear do you prefer?
I particularly like retro Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe-style swimsuits, in plain colours.

Where do you stay in London? Claridge's, because it does the best breakfast.

What's your earliest London memory?
Having a meal at a little curry restaurant on Royal Crescent in Holland Park.

Which London shops do you rely on?
Harrods, because if you want you can buy an elephant in that shop. Caramel Baby & Child in Sloane Square does cute baby clothes, and Lock & Co on St James's Street for hats.

What advice would you give to a tourist coming to London?
Go to a pub and eat fish and chips.

What's the best meal you've had in London?
An Omelette Arnold Bennett [haddock, parmesan and cream] at The Wolseley.

What would you do as Mayor for the day?
I'd increase the budget for all charity projects.

Where have you just been on holiday?
I spent ten days at Francis Mallmann's hotel El Garzon in Uruguay with my family. Before that I was in Rio at the Fasano Hotel with my family for eight days, and I had a romantic break at the Amanpuri in Phuket with Justin [Portman, her husband].

What would be on your tombstone?
I can't think of that yet.

What are you most afraid of?
War.

What are your guilty pleasures?
Caviar, chocolate and cheese.

What's your philosophy?
Be yourself.

What animal would you most like to be?
A giraffe, so I could see everything from very high up.

What would you save from a fire?
My children Lucas, Neva and Viktor.

Who makes you laugh?
My husband, because he's got a brilliant sense of humour.

What makes you cry?
Injustice.

What are you up to at the moment?
I am working on my next collection for Etam, opening more playgrounds in Russia through my Naked Heart Foundation and preparing for my fundraising Love Ball in September.

Which is your favourite London street for shopping?
Beauchamp Place has every shop I love.

What is your favourite item in your wardrobe?
My new Chanel Matriochka bag from the Paris-Moscow collection.

Who's your hero?
Audrey Hepburn - an elegant, glamorous icon.

What's the best place for a romantic date?
I love having dinner at the mill when Justin is cooking and we arrange a table outside looking over the river.

What's your favourite London pub?
The Ship on Jews Row in Wandsworth for a drink by the river.

What is your favourite London discovery?
The Chelsea Flower Shop (502 King's Road, SW10) does the most wonderful flowers.