Thirty Questions for Susie

How would you sum up what you do in a sentence?
I am stardust zooming through space that sometimes makes dresses.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
An astronaut.

How do you waste time, when your schedule is clear?
I walk in nature.

What did you do on your last day off?
I sat on my balcony reading a giant picture book on the life of Krishna and looked out across the sea.

What's your greatest ambition?
To get through the day in one piece.

Do you have any phobias?
I fear for the safety of those around me and I don’t like spiders much.

Who do you most admire?
My husband.

What do you talk about when you get your hair cut?
I like to read, if possible. Is that terrible? It’s a peaceful moment. Like the Zen of having a manicure.

What's the last dream that you can remember having?
I have repeated dreams of different children stroking my face. Some of the children I don’t recognise. They are lovely dreams. They are gifts.

What would you most like to change about the world?
I despise cruelty – to children, to the old, to the dispossessed and to animals.

What would you most like to change about yourself?
My crippling shyness.

Have you ever pretended to be someone else in the mirror?
Clint Eastwood.

If you could do anything without fear of repercussion, what would you do?
Release all the animals!

Describe yourself in three words...
I asked my husband “Describe me in three words”, He said “Unbelievably fucking exasperating!”

What’s the most surprising thing we’d find out if we looked at your phone?
I don’t know.

Favourite song?
Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks.

Favourite colour?
Sunshine yellow.

The perfect night out?
I like to go out alone at night and lose myself in music. I love to dance. I don’t get to do it enough.

The funniest person you know?
My husband.

The funniest thing you’ve ever read about yourself?
That I am a hermit crab.

One thing you can’t live without?
My husband.

Favourite thing to eat?
My husband.

Least favourite thing to eat?
Animals.

What was your first job?
Failed page three girl.

The best advice you've ever been given?
There is a Philip Larkin poem that ends, “We must be careful of each other. We must be kind while there is still time.” That seems like good advice.

Why are you a fashion designer?
Because it’s something I’m good at, it’s something I love to do and it helps the world to be more beautiful.

Who or what inspires you?
Go to the Stuff Page on my website and find out. The inspirations are endless!

What drives your creativity?
I live in a very powerful creative environment. The people around me are so wonderfully clever. Everyone remains interested in what everyone else is doing. That’s the key. A collaborative environment.

Who do you consider to be the true creatives in the world?
The world is full of people with ideas, but it is the practical application that is important. The true creatives are those that get up and actually do things.

Who’s the coolest person you know?
Occasionally, my husband.

Susie Cave for Browns.