Dress code: Mischa Barton, Actress

What are you wearing right now?

An Elie Saab gown, as a result of the closing gala for Paris Couture Week.

Who's your style icon?

I'd have to say my mum; particularly during my formative years. She's Irish but lived throughout Europe, so had a lot of different influences. She taught me to think about fashion and have fun with it; to make it my own.

What can't you live without?

Water, food, air, family, music!

Describe the best outfit you've ever worn.

Not sure if it's the best in the eyes of others, but certainly my favourite was a vintage-inspired Marc Jacobs dress that had a V-cut in the front and three silver rosettes with velvet flaps, much in the vein of a dress from the Twenties Charleston era. I wore it to my first 'Vanity Fair' Oscar soiree, in 2004.

What's in your wardrobe?

Lately it's been all about accessorising, particularly with my own headband line. on which I collaborated with designer Stacey Lapidus.

Make-up bag essentials?

By Terry lip balm and Chanel products.

Most stylish era?

I've always been influenced by vintage fashions from any era, but had an amazing experience while filming 'Virgin Territory' with Hayden Christensen, as it was a 14th-century period piece with costumes designed by Roberto Cavalli.

How often do you look in the mirror?

I've never actually calculated, but I am not a narcissist, so probably a couple of times per day; particularly when brushing my teeth in the morning and before bed.

Any fashion confessions you want to share with us?

I'm fortunate enough to be gifted a lot of beautiful clothing, but it typically doesn't come with an instruction manual as to how to wear it, or with what; sometimes I'm so overwhelmed that I tend to overdo a certain look. I am, however, extremely grateful to be in such a predicament. Mostly I'm not trying to be innovative: I like things to be comfortable, like skinny jeans and vintage tees, or sun dresses and sandals; but I constantly try out new things.

Mischa Barton's second handbag collection is available at www.mischabartonhandbags.com