Fashion plate: Alice McCall

Step forward Miss Popularity, Alice McCall.

If we gave out cups at the end of Fashion Week, Alice McCall would have a hat-trick. Best newcomer, prettiest collection and easily the most popular girl in the class.

That's how British Vogue described the Australian designer after her label's London Fashion Week debut in February.

McCall spent several years making her mark on the London fashion scene as a successful stylist, working with Natalie Imbruglia, Destiny's Child and Marianne Faithful, before switching to designing.

Her one-off luxury silk tops and 50s style customised dresses were snapped up by Kate Moss and London stylist Katie England.

Headhunted by Buddhist Punk to design the highly successful 2002 women's collection, a chance meeting in London with Sass & Bide designers Heidi Middleton and Sarah Jane Clarke led to McCall going to Australia to design for the label.

She launched her own label at Australian Fashion Week 2004 with acclaim, and is now based in Surry Hills, Sydney. The label has a worldwide following, including Jools Oliver, Diane Kruger and Chloe Sevigny.

Perfectly combining elements of girlish charm and bohemian flair mixed with a bit of rock and roll, it is no wonder the Alice McCall label has gained such a loyal following since its inception two years ago.

What's the one rule you always dress by?

Anything goes if you wear it with confidence.

The one fashion rule you always break?

All rules are made to be broken.

What is the one key item of clothing everyone should have?

Sexy lingerie.

Whose wardrobe would you most like to raid?

Deborah Harry's in the 70s, Grace Kelly's when she was dressed by Balenciaga, David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust days, and Bianca Jagger's.

What is your favourite accessory of the moment?

Big earrings.

Favourite hotel?

Sixty Thompson St in New York - it's cool and understated, with impeccable service.

What beauty item can't you live without?

Creme de la mer moisturiser and Diptyque perfume.

Who does the best handbags?

Prada.

Any style icons?

Lou Doillon (French actress).

The essential item for winter?

Anything cashmere.

What to avoid?

Clothes which are too tight - you should always be comfortable.

Favourite colour?

Midnight blue at the moment but it changes every day - a signature element to Alice McCall collections is the ever-changing array of colours.

What's your biggest fashion or beauty indulgence?

Regular facials and massages.

What's your favourite look?

Being the schizophrenic dresser I am it goes from secretarial one day to hippy bohemian the next.

What do you consider the best fashion bargain?

A free couture Dolce & Gabbana dress from the designers while I was a stylist in London.

What was the last book you read?

Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss, an antithesis to my fashion mayhem.