How do you decide what to wear?

I’m quite fussy when it comes to underwear. First I decide what to wear and then I choose my underwear to match my outfit. I like intricate detailing, that’s why I like underwear because of all the detailing on them. When I’m designing my underwear I always think about elements of fantasy and fun.

How has you career as an underwear designer developed?

When I lived in Paris I was head hunted by Calvin Klein and went to work in New York with them for a year before going to work for Victoria’s Secrets which is America’s biggest underwear company with over 900 stores nationwide.

This is a fantastic piece.

I have a few designs that have appeared in Vogue and Victoria’s Secret catalogue. This appeared in the German Vogue and was designed as part of a Christmas collection. When I saw the material I fell in love with it, but I felt it was a little bit too ‘bling’ on its own and so I covered it in this mesh to make it a little bit more subtle and sophisticated.

How does it feel to see your designs in Vogue?

It makes me feel quite proud. A couple of weeks ago I saw a copy of OK magazine and it had a picture of Britney Spears wearing a bra I’d designed in purple underneath a black shirt. So that made me laugh, and the only thing I could think of was that I designed it!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I look for inspiration everywhere. I start with a pallet with different themes to see what goes together. On this outfit I’ve use some Versailles embroidery and the inspiration came from the film Sleepy Hollow. When I saw this embroidery I just thought that it would make a great corset.

When I watch films or even sometimes look at patterns on plates and cups – I get inspiration from all kinds of places from patterns to colours. So I’m always on the look out for different things.

Do you think that women feel different in special underwear?

Absolutely! Every set is created for a different customer or to create a different mood. I think it’s the same as when you get a new dress or a new hairstyle – it boosts your confidence and makes you feel better.

Who do you design your clothes for?

I still design for a lot o British companies; many of them are on the high street. At the moment I’m doing a lot of work for Marks and Spencer and I’ve also worked for Ann Summers and Knickerbox in the past. As a company we work for Debenhams and we used to do some work for La Senza, so I think that most women have worn something that I’ve designed.

Who are your customers?

Women of course, but men also buy underwear as gifts for their wives or girlfriends. I think women tend to buy functional day to day underwear while men tend to go for the more sexy stuff.

What are your priorities when you’re designing?

When I’m designing, especially for someone like Marks and Spencer they have to be comfortable. The underwear that we design for them usually has to be washed at 40 degrees ten times over! But with some designs practicality isn’t that important, it’s how it looks. Some of the things that I’ve designed are only meant to be worn for five minutes anyway... maybe I shouldn’t be saying that though!

This is a pretty set.

This is meant to look very innocent, but it isn’t! The bra opens in the front on both sides, but there is an element of fun with the feathers – it’s called the fallen angel!

This set is called Dollybird. We had a theme of Hello Dolly and it’s meant to look kitsch with all the sherbet colours – I really like this combination of colours. One of the major British companies is interested in carrying this line so I hope they buy it!

This looks different and a lot of fun!

This shows the elements of fun that I try to incorporate in my designs. It’s called Chastity. I found this chain embroidery and I wanted it in pink with a lock and key on it. I’ve also made cuffs to go with it which also has a lock and key on them.

How would you describe your designs?

I always try to push the boundaries and incorporate elements of fun and a little tongue in cheek in my designs. Some are a little kitsch while others are sexy, but they are all designed for different people and different markets. But I think the most obvious element is fun!