Alice Temperley

THE JOY OF MY JOB is getting lost in the creativity. I’m trained in the textiles side and I love the technical process: seeing my weaving and printing mills in Italy and the remarkable machines – some dating back to the early 1800s. It’s wonderful to meet the makers and see that incredible craftsmanship being harnessed.

I’VE LEARNED THAT you must be true to yourself. Of course, there needs to be a commercial side, but it’s easy to think you have to follow certain rules such as x number of seasons and products. Why should you? It can take a year to work with true artisans. Things don't always need to be fast.

FOR THE JOCKEY SILKS I designed for this year’s Markel Magnolia Cup at Goodwood, we looked through the archives and selected our favourite prints, the ones with the most impact, and recoloured them onto the silks. They’re very colourful, which is part of our DNA, and I hope they make the jockeys feel as good as possible.

THE FASHION INDUSTRY is tough. I used to get stressed and work all night, but now I don’t. I don’t think I’ve really “switched off” for 20 years, but now we’re doing less, that side of things is more focused – and more enjoyable. I’m learning to live day by day and celebrate what we do.

MY MUM, AT 75, stills looks incredible, whether in a white shirt and jodhpurs or evening dress. She’s the most elegant woman. I am so inspired by people who know how to put things together –whether it’s vintage, designer or high street.

I GREW UP on a Somerset cider farm in the English countryside and I’m influenced by the seasons. My references for design are very English – the country, tailoring, etc – but there’s often a touch of tomboy alongside the fantasy. The influence of the dandy, Victoriana and art deco, mixed with a rock’n’roll style.

SOME OF MY FAVOURITE clothes are white shirts, and I love suits. But clothing should also be about escapism and fantasy. I hope that when people wear a Temperley wedding or evening dress, they feel comfortable, but special.

I WOULD WEAR ONE of my heritage gowns to Goodwood Revival – they transcend times and eras and are so comfortable. They’re as ornate as a Fabergé egg, which means everything else can be relaxed – flat shoes, natural hair and makeup – it’s all about the dress. Relaxed, uncontrived English romance and Bohemia – that’s what I am, and if people don’t like it, it doesn’t matter.

I USED TO HAVE A 1959 FORD THUNDERBIRD with a red and cream leather interior, but I sold it to my neighbour who had wanted it for years. I now have a G20 Chevy Van, with blue and white stripes, a Mercedes 560 SL with leopardprint seats, and a Land Rover that’s painted like a zebra. I have impractical cars!

THIS SUMMER I DON’T WANT to get on a plane, I want to be at home, gardening and visiting the Jurassic coast, which I’m lucky enough to live 20 minutes away from. Spring and summer are the most beautiful time to be in England.