My London: Manolo Blahnik

Where do you live and why? I lived for 12 years in Notting Hill, but I got sick of it and moved to Barnes, on the river. That was too humid, so I moved to Chelsea. Chelsea has always been my village, where I have my business, office, shops and my friends; it has the feeling of a small community even though London is so big.

If money were no object, where would you like to live in London? In Nash House in Regent's Park, the whole house! It is the most beautiful park in all of London.

Are you a member of any club? I hate clubs. The nearest thing I consider is the Royal College of Art but it's not a club, it is a college. I don't ever want to belong to a club.

What was the last book/record you bought and where did you buy them? The new Natacha Atlas CD today at Virgin Megastore on Tottenham Court Road - they have the best selection. And Christopher Isherwood's diaries, Lost Years: A Memoir 1945-1951.

Do you have a local restaurant/pub? Pubs I can't stand. Locally I go to the Bluebird and to Bibendum where I like the light and the food. My favourite restaurant, though, is definitely Wilton's on Jermyn Street.

What keeps you awake at night? My insomnia.

Who would you most like to get stuck in a London Eye pod with? I do not want to be stuck anywhere with anyone under any circumstances, especially in small spaces. I have never been on the London Eye.

When did you last lose something valuable and what was it? My cheque book, every two weeks.

List three things you would abolish from London life. Nastiness, homelessness and exhaust from cars.

And three things you would make compulsory for Londoners. Good morning, goodbye, thank you:good manners.

When and where did you last get drunk? I don't drink.

When was the last time you went to a nightclub? In 1997 Kate Moss took me to Caf? de Paris after an Oasis concert.

Where is the sexiest place in London? The Tate Modern.

What don't you leave London without? My LL Bean bags with my agenda, lots of drawing paper and my Tombo colour pencils.

Admit to one thing you've done in London that you've never told anyone before. I am hooked on Indian movies, I go to them by myself, I love them. I have never told anyone that.

When did you last lose your temper? Every minute.

Where did you last blow £500 and what was it on? Trousers from Richard James, and Anderson & Sheppard.

What's the first piece of advice you'd give a London tourist? Go immediately to the Tate Modern, the British Museum and the National Gallery and then you can go back where you came from, after you have had tea in a small hotel.

What was the last conversation you had with a London cabbie? It was about rudeness in London and also about Nicky Haslam, who is fabulous. I am not political, but I always have political conversations with cabbies, they are the most informed people.

If you were invisible for a day, where would you go in London and what would you do? I would follow Kate Moss around to watch the way she moves and laughs. She is the most beautiful girl.

What's the best thing you can do in London without paying for it? Go to Regent's Park.

What's the most overrated thing in London? Pubs.

What do you miss most when you're out of London? The book stores.

What makes you proud to be a Londoner? Cultural life.

What makes you embarrassed to be a Londoner? The new rudeness and the poverty.

Have you ever been a victim of violence in London? Physical no, verbal yes.

Which shop could you not live without? Anderson & Sheppard, Green & Stone, Richard James, and Cutler & Gross.

What's your most memorable night out? A charity party thrown by Anna Wintour in 1999 at Spencer House. I had the best time.

What is your favourite view? Cheyne Walk from the other side of the river, early in the morning when there are no cars. Very Whistler.

What and where is your favourite painting or work of art? One Zurbaran at the National Gallery.

What last made you cry? When Her Royal Highness,the Princess of Wales died.

Where in London would you have your ashes scattered? I will not have ashes.

If your house were on fire, which three things wouldyou rescue? My dogs.