My Secret Life: Maria Grachvogel, fashion designer

Maria Grachvogel was born in London in 1969. Afashion designer, her clients include Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie and Rachel Weisz. She set up her own label in 1994, having received no formal training, and her first collection was shown at London Fashion Week the following year. She lives in Marylebone, central London, with her partner.

I drive/ride: A black Mercedes convertible but mostly I walk everywhere, I live in central London so everything I need is really close to hand.

If I have time to myself I: I like to keep things low-key, I sketch, read, listen to music or relax with some frankincense burning – it's so wonderfully calming.

Y ou may not know it but I'm no good at: Getting my hair cut. Despite having my friend the wonderful Guy Kremer on hand I always end up leaving it and tying it up in a pony tail.

A book that changed me: I was greatly inspired by, 'Hands of light' by Barbara Ann Brennan. A truly inspiring book about opening up to healing.

Movie heaven: It depends on my mood but I love David Lynch films as they challenge you and always make you think.

Comfort eating: When I want to indulge myself, I go to J Sheekeys. I love the sole meuniere – heaven on a plate!

W hen I was a child I wanted to be: A fashion designer... it was always my dream, and I'm lucky to have been able to fulfil it.

I wish I'd never worn: I don't tend to look back on what I've worn in the past with any negativity as I always remember how much I loved it at the time. To me, fashion is not about following trends, but wearing clothes that make you feel great, and that is what I have always done.

All my money goes on: Gorgeous shoes – as high as I can get. I'm very tall, but I like to be even taller. I also have a weakness for cool furniture, a hobby I have managed to combine into my professional life with my first interiors collection for Oli.co.uk.

At night I dream of: new ideas for my collections, fabrics, cuts, silhouettes and textures. Creative problems solve themselves in my sleep.

My favourite building: Is probably the Chrysler building. I love art deco architecture and design in general. You can see this reflected in a lot of my work.

My biggest regret: I honestly don't have any regrets. Every decision I have made (some good, some not so good!) has brought me to this point; I am pretty happy with that.

It's not fashionable but I like: sleeping on a waterbed, it's so comfortable as it moulds to your body.

If I wasn't me I'd like to be: Pacha, my Himalayan cat, who is utterly spoiled.

The shop I can't walk past: La Fromagerie – it's close to home, I'm a cheese monster and it does the best coffee in London.

My favourite work of art: La Bella Rafaella by Tamara de Lempicka- I adore her work and this is probably my favourite

The soundtrack to my life:is dance, dance, dance!

The best invention ever: is our Magic Pants. Sorry to blow my own trumpet, but it's true! That is... if you want longer legs and a smaller bum. Seriously, they work for everyone.