Essentials; Francesca versace, designer

As an Italian who studied fashion at St Martins in London, I've been exposed to some very different cultural styles. In Italy we are so fixated on old-fashioned glamour and making sure everything matches that I found the way young British people mix things up really refreshing. French actress Lou Douillon has the perfect bohemian look and I have to say Donatella, my very glamorous aunt, has always been a huge inspiration.

Nicholas Ghesquiere, who designs for Balenciaga, is a genius and he makes the best fitted jeans (www.balenciaga.com). I live in my black pair. For more feminine clothes, Balmain is great – Christophe Decarnin has completely revived the label and the floaty, floral dresses he has made for this summer are fabulous (www.balmain.com).

This summer I will be wearing original maxi dresses from the 1970s and a bright neon Versace dress for glamorous soirees (www.versace.com). On days off, I'll be teaming layered jersey vests with denim shorts from Diesel (www. diesel.com). YSL Rive Gauche make the best killer heels (left, www.ysl.com) and for jewellery an Italian brand called Cusi is a favourite (tel: 0039 02 76014323).

I'm not very high maintenance when it comes to make-up and skincare; Boots was a great discovery for me in England — I love its cucumber eye-pads (www. boots.com). Benefit You Rebel foundation is soft on skin (www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk) and I always buy bronze and pink Nars eye-shadows (www.narscosmetics.co.uk).

Francesca's collection in collaboration with All Dressed Up is available now (www.alldressedup.com)