My Secret Life: Pearl Lowe, Designer, 37

(Portrait by Mischa Haller)

The house/flat I grew up in.... was a beautiful 16th century house in Harrow. It was very gothic in style; much like something out of a Tim Burton film, with dark wooden floors and low ceilings.

When I was a child I wanted to be... a dancer. I really fancied myself as the next big thing in a disco-modern fusion, and subjected my nanny to hours of performances. Sadly, I was quite awful.

The moment that changed me for ever.... was meeting my husband, Danny, at that bloody festival.

My greatest inspiration... varies. In terms of style, I look to Louise Brooks for the hair – for that bob. Marilyn Monroe taught me that you can be glamorous and beautiful without adhering to passing trends. Finding what suits you is the key.

My real-life villain... has to be my two year daughter, Betty. She literally dictates where we all sit for dinner, what we're eating. It's a battle from the minute she wakes up, a real power struggle.

If I could change one thing about myself... I'd be tougher, like Deborah Meaden the blonde woman from Dragon's Den, and exude a strong air.

At night I dream of... being at various parties, mostly set in the Medieval times, some are like the backdrop to a Shakespearean play.

What I see when I look in the mirror... I see very dark under my eyes and general fatigue, cheered up with a slick of red lipstick and pink cheeks

My style icon.... would have to be my mum, who taught me all about glamour and vintage pieces. She introduced me to designers such as Missoni, YSL and Oscar Ferretti when I was growing up

My favourite item of clothing... is a 1930's chiffon blue floral dress, from my favourite vintage shop, Annies, in Islington. I wear it in winter, summer, any excuse – it's just perfect

I wish I'd never worn... the most foul concoction ever, a biker jacket, with peroxide blonde hair and, heaven forbid, a pair of cowboy boots. There's a photo of it, which Danny shows our friends whenever the opportunity arises.

It's not fashionable but I like... this knitted beret-style slouchy hat, which I wear all the time. My friends have tried to prise it from my head, but I had hair but short over Christmas and won't give up the hat until my locks return.

You wouldn't know it but I'm very good at... tennis, I'm actually an amazing tennis player and competed for Middlesex when I was little. It's a great party trick!

You may not know it but I'm no good at... driving. I'm a really, really bad driver. People get scared in my car. I'm just so dizzy that I go up kerbs, don't indicate; in fact I have nine points on my licence at the moment.

All my money goes on... furniture. I collect 1930's Art Deco pieces, I have a particularly amazing mirrored dresser. Trade fairs are a particular favourite, I just found a brilliant 19th century wooden table.

If I have time to myself... I read. Junk Style by Melanie Molesworth is amazing and and the Relaxed Home by Katherine Sorrell, which teaches you how to incorporate antiques into modern design

I drive/ride... a black and white 1991 Nissan Figaro from 1991. We bought it for my eldest daughter, Daisy, but now that she's a jet-setting supermodel, she hasn't bothered to get a licence, so now it's mine!

My house/flat is... a Georgian terrace in Somerset, which we've just moved to after living for a while in an old house in the woods.

My most valuable possession is... a wishbone ring, given to me by my grandmother. It's the only thing I got because my grandfather sold everything else.

My favourite building... is the Hoover building or any church, I just love the haunting quality

Movie heaven... is any period drama; Atonement, Sense and Sensibility. I've just this thing about the past so I prefer anything that's old.

A book that changed me... was Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, which I read when I was really young. It has such an honest quality, it's hard to believe the author was so young.

My favourite work of art... is anything by Michael Angelo. I see his paintings and my hairs stand on end.

The last album I bought/downloaded... was the only one I didn'ty already own by Elliot Smith, called Figure Eight. Mmmm, he's dead nice.

The person who really makes me laugh... is Ricky Gervais and Jack Dee. Jonathan Ross' breakfast show brightens up my Saturday, I don't stop laughing all morning.

The shop I can't walk past... for myself, it's Jo Malone. I'm mad about the candles, particularly the orange blossom and gardenia. For my daughter, I go to Bonpoint, which is bad because it's so expensive but I can't resist the amazing baby clothes.

The best invention ever... cars, and drivers!

In ten years time, I hope to be... living abroad either in Ireland or France. I will have sold my business and be living off the profit.

My greatest regret... is not pursuing my singing career, because of my drug addict. I feel I had a lot to give but missed out for various reasons.

My life in seven words... hectic, happy, warm, unpredictable, upheaval, fun and fast

Pearl Lowe was born on 7 April 1970 in Wimbledon, London. A singer turned designer, and wife of Supergrass' Danny Goffey, she studied briefly at Lamda before joining the band Powder, as lead singer in 1993. Three years later she fronted the Avant-Garde band Lodder alongside her now-husband Danny Goffey. A recovering Heroin and Cocaine addict, Lowe launched a range of vintage-style lace curtains and cushions, before a line of handmade lace frocks. Her latest vintage clothes range can be seen at www.pearllowe.co.uk. and her auto-biography All That Glitters is published by Hodder. She lives in Somerset with husband Danny Goffey and her three youngest children.