Dress code: Melanie Slade, Model

What are you wearing right now?

A beige and brown top by James Perse, a little black cardie from New Look, leggings and leather thigh-high boots with a cute bow on the ankle from River Island.

Who's your style icon?

Recently I've really started liking High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgen's style – it's very fresh. You always see her looking immaculate at events in glamorous dresses and heels, but she also does the more casual look really well.

What can't you live without?

In this freezing weather, my Uggs! They are really cosy. I love that something so comfortable is so fashionable.

Describe the best outfit you have ever worn.

A stunning MaxMara maxi dress for my 21st birthday. I wanted something special: it was very pretty.

What's in your wardrobe?

I absolutely love dresses, so I have a lot of those in all different types, from short body-con dresses, floaty, summery ones and maxi-dresses. Some are designer and a lot are high street, which I love. And like many girls I have lots of shoes. Too many shoes, in fact , if that's possible.

What's in your make-up bag?

Everything. I have all a girl could need – for day, I love looking natural so I carry basic eyeliner and mascara, soft blushers and neutral lip glosses. But it's fun to experiment with a more edgy look for evening, so I also have stronger colours and more dramatic eye make-up for when I go out. The one thing I simply can't live without though is Yves St Laurent Touche Eclat.

If you could live in any decade, style-wise which would it be?

It would have to be the Forties, as I love the pin-up look and real, old-fashioned glamour of that era. I'm really into classic styles and traditional femininity in fashion.

How often do you look in the mirror?

Does any shiny surface count? I'm only joking. Probably about four or five times a day, I should think. I don't really know. Is that a lot?

Any fashion confessions you want to share with us?

I suppose this is where I should admit that I had a pair of reflective, silver moon boots in the Spice Girls era. I guess they were very fashionable at the time. Everyone was wearing them too though – not just me!

What's your secret style tip?

Play with colours and find one that suits. Sometimes what you least expect to look good on you can actually look amazing.

Melanie has designed a vest for the Cancer Research UK Race for Life 2010 series. Raceforlife.org