My secret life: Petra Ecclestone, fashion designer, 19

News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

Roy Hodgson for England: A club of one

To argue against Harry Redknapp for England is akin to arguing in favour of bankers bonuses. While s...

Time for a reality check on the Sri Lankan civil war

Sri Lanka, much like Britain, has side-lined accountability long enough.

Children Of Alcoholics week: One million children may just be the tip of the iceberg

Children Of Alcoholics week starts today. So, what are the aims for Nacoa during this important week...

Review of Being Human: ‘Being Human 1955’

Following on from an episode tinged with tragedy, this week lifted the mood with something lighter.


The home I grew up in...was my big family home in Chelsea, with my sister Tamara, my parents and a rabbit, a guinea pig and a bulldog. It was a big house on a corner, with a lovely back garden.

When I was a child I wanted to be...a gymnast and a vet. When I was 12 or 13, I got into modelling and then wanted to be a fashion designer.

The moment that changed me for ever...I got meningitis when I was 13, which was a pretty traumatic ordeal. I've appreciated life much more since then. I was hospitalised for two weeks.

My greatest inspiration...is my parents. My mother because she is extremely honest and humble, and my father for his work ethic.

My real-life villain...is myself. I'm too much of a perfectionist, and my own worst enemy. I give myself a hard time about everything. I want my private and working life to be flawless.

If I could change one thing about myself...I'd stop worrying about everything I have to do the next morning. I keep a notebook and my laptop by my bed, in case I think of something during the night.

What I see when I look in the mirror...a lucky girl. I am privileged and I don't take that for granted at all.

My style icons...Steve McQueen for his laid-back look. He doesn't try too hard, but looks glamorous and rugged. I love Brigitte Bardot's big blonde hair and eye liner. She's sexy without trying.

I wish I'd never worn ... For my mum's birthday in Monaco, I wore a pink and black Gavin Douglas dress, and the zip broke. My friend had to go and get help to have it fixed. It was an ordeal.

It's not fashionable but I like... Ugg boots. They're not the most attractive thing, but they're just so comfy.

The shops I can't walk past... are generally in Soho and the meatpacking district in New York. It's always clothes shops and shoe shops. And handbags. I probably have 50 pairs of shoes. I rarely buy shoes from the high street, I like them to be top end.

My favourite work of art... I just bought a piece by the artist Dan Baldwin called 'Autumn Girl'. It's a graffiti-style cartoon with a girl on a spider web. It's hanging next to my pool table.

My favourite item of clothing... My mum gave me a purple Hermès Birkin bag, which I use every day.

You wouldn't know it but I'm very good at...Texas hold 'em poker.

You may not know it but I'm no good at...singing.

All my money goes on...my business and my dogs. I have two bulldogs, a boxer and a King Charles living in my apartment. I buy them treats and lots of different collars.

If I have time to myself...I curl up on the sofa and watch television with my boyfriend and dogs.

I drive...a white Range Rover Sport.

My house is...just finished. The designer went for quite dark, sensual colours: brown suede wallpaper in my bedroom and dressing room, and deep purples.

My most valuable possession is...my mother's engagement ring. It's beautiful – gold with a white diamond.

My favourite building...is my father's office. It's tall, with black glass and reminds me of the TV show 'Dallas'.

Movie heaven...'Seven'. I love the part at the end when Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt find the head.

A book that changed me...'The Lovely Bones' by Alice Sebold. I found the way she writes incredibly haunting. Normally I get bored of books after a few chapters, but I couldn't put down this one.

The last album I bought/downloaded...Was Duffy's album 'Rockferry'. I like a bit of indie and rock, but when I go out I like to listen to R'n'B.

In 10 years' time, I hope to be...as good a mother as my mum is, and as successful in business as my father.

The best invention ever...is the BlackBerry Bold.

My greatest regret...Regret is a pointless emotion.

My life in seven words...family, lucky, busy, stressful, fulfilled, just begun.

A life in brief

Born in December 1988, Petra Ecclestone is the daughter of the Formula One billionaire Bernie Ecclestone. After taking A Levels in Media, Art and Photography, she launched her menswear label, Form Clothing, in Harrods this month. She lives alone in Kensington. Visit form clothing.co.uk to see her collection

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus

Day In a Page

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets
Peter Moore: 'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'

Peter Moore interview

'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'
Sellafield faces nuclear option as overspending threatens plant's future

Sellafield faces nuclear option

Overspending threatens plant's future
Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Tehran rejects Netanyahu's 'lies' after diplomats in India and Georgia targeted
Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time

Tommy Cassidy interview

Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time
James Lawton: Patience may not be a virtue this time, Roman – Andre Villas-Boas looks all at sea

James Lawton: AVB looks all at sea

Abramovich's visits to training reinforce the idea of a coach feeling pressure from above and below
The 10 Best sledges

The 10 Best sledges

Not all of them require snow...
Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Confronting the real reasons for puttting things off can help us beat it
Fun in the sunset years

Fun in the sunset years

A new movie follows retirees moving to India for low-cost care and a culture of respect for the elderly. For many Britons, it's already a reality
Picture preview: Lucian Freud drawings

Lucian Freud drawings

Picture preview
Silent revolution at the Baftas as the French take top awards

Silent revolution at the Baftas

The Artist wins in seven categories, with Meryl Streep the other big success story
Whitney Houston: The diva who had – and lost – it all

The diva who had – and lost – it all

Nick Hasted charts the highs and lows of Whitney Houston's life
How Picasso won over (some of) the British

How Picasso won over (some of) the British

Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh hated his work, but Picasso provided inspiration for a whole generation of UK artists
Topshop: A Decade Of Design

Topshop: A Decade Of Design

When London Fashion Week starts on Friday, Topshop will celebrate 10 years backing its brightest young stars
John Prescott: 'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

At 73, John Prescott isn't mellowing. In fact he's taking a shot at becoming a police commissioner