You were named ‘designer to watch’ by Vogue. As a young designer this is a great accolade – what are your future goals?
To dominate the world with my Shoe Clips. I’d love to have my collections stocked internationally and I’d love Rita Ora to wear my Ironhide boots.
You’ve recently branched out into Shoe Clips, what are they?
Little embellishments that can be clipped to any shoe to transform day to night. They’re great as an affordable way to jazz up old favourites, ideal for weddings, they range from huge fox fur pom poms and crystal clusters to mini cassettes and metal bows. I’m mainly focusing on the clips this year and expanding the collection.
At what age did you decide you wanted to be a shoe designer?
I was obsessed with my mum’s clothes as a child, and found these ancient Harrods shoes in a box in the back of her wardrobe. They were gold sparkly stilettos and I decided they should be hung at the top of the Christmas tree in place of an angel. The shoes still come out every Christmas, and I gradually developed an obsession. One year I even decided to decorate the shoes on top of the tree with pom poms, and from there came the idea for shoe clips.
What was it like working with designers such as Nicholas Kirkwood and Salvatore Ferragamo?
Awesome. It was amazing working with Nicholas as it was before he was really known, I learnt so much about running a business as I was totally thrown in at the deep end. In think I was his first ever intern, and the first-hand experience taught me more than anything I learnt as a student.
You are known for your quirky, innovative style. What are your fashion inspirations?
I don’t have any style icons as such. My style is a fusion of things picked up from people, places, art, and everything else. I’m probably more inspired by my stylist friends than the people they dress.
Alongside running CLEO B, what else have you been up to?
I’ve taken on a huge refurbishment project in a warehouse apartment in Westbourne Park. Interestingly enough it previously belonged to my teenage crush, Duncan from Blue. We made several structural changes and 18 months later I’ve transformed it from a noughties boy-band bachelor pad to a super-colourful yet industrial contemporary home. I have amazing views over the canal and also the Westway, which I happen to be obsessed with. I love the way it swoops over all that space and watching the flashing blue lights zoom past at night.
My pièce de résistance is my custom-built shoe house. Designed by Alexander Owen Architects, it’s a mirrored and spot-lit wardrobe with filmed glass to protect my shoes from fading.
Who are your favourite shoe designers?
I don’t wear anybody else’s shoes. Oh, except for trainers. I have approximately 15 pairs of trainers. But having said that I have around 200 pairs of shoes. I only have three pairs of shoes not designed by me.
Describe a typical working day?
I walk my dog along the canal to get to Great Western Studios around 8.30am. I probably spend the morning chasing manufacturers, tweaking designs, choosing colour-ways. Then the afternoon might consist of meetings, marketing strategy ideas, branding, working on the website—so basically the less creative side of things.
I’m still in the middle of refurbishing my flat, so if I’m not meeting friends, I spend the evening choosing colour schemes, bathroom tiles or unpacking boxes.
Describe your personal style?
Colourful but also feminine, and I sometimes juxtapose this with a more casual, sport-luxe vibe.
You are the ambassador for the Girls Out Loud charity. How and why did you get involved and what’s it all about?
Girls Out Loud is a charity aiming to raise the aspirations of young women and girls from challenging backgrounds. They have positive female role models from all walks of life. As an ambassador I meet with these girls and try and raise funds to support the charity at our events.
I’d heard about the charity a while ago, and just thought it was amazing as I can relate to how hard it is to be a teenage girl in 2014. This charity is about inspiring future generations and showing them what’s possible.
How could other people help or get involved?
They could become a Big Sister, or donate online at www.girlsoutloud.org.uk.
We hear you have a beloved miniature dachshund called Honey B – what’s the most extravagant thing you’ve ever done or bought for her?
I bought her a beautiful lambswool polo neck in New York last year. The hardest item to source at my new flat was Honey B’s dog flap, which was imported especially from New Zealand.
Describe your ideal day in west London?
I love that I can wake up and my flat is no longer a building site. I’d take Honey B for a walk along the canal, have lunch at Goldborne Deli with a friend, or if it was a Saturday I’d swing by Maida Hill Market on the Harrow Road for fresh produce and brownies. Then in the evening, I’d have a BBQ on my terrace, and make my legendary gin cocktails.
Do you have a favourite west London hangout?
I had a great meal at Portobello Organic Kitchen last night, and I love The Summerhouse on the canal, Lucky 7, and The Union Tavern by Westbourne Park has a great pub garden.
