Erin O'Connor

“As a child I wanted to be a ballerina, ice-cream van owner, wife of George Michael, a nun, and a music conductor.”

“I've worn a lot of humdingers in my time, but as a model it's my duty - my responsibility - to bring life to any garment. That can be challenging when it comes to high fashion, where the creations can be very eccentric, but I've gained a reputation for being the go-to girl who can pull it off.”

“In my career, which has been fairly two-dimensional, people make decisions based on your persona.”

“The great outdoors is a theme with me; a walking holiday in Scotland is perfect - Culloden and the forests of Aviemore are both favourites.”

“Growing up, I had an insane crush on Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys.”

“I lead a very busy life and don't have a lot of time, so my skincare needs to be easy and portable.”

“I've enjoyed many camping holidays with my sister and her children, but we're pretty posh campers.”

“At school I was very shy and coincidentally inherited the title 'little miss worry guts,' and that was just among the staff. I learned early on that I could make people laugh, and as my small neat body betrayed me by growing to dizzying heights, I used it as a tool that translated into complete slap-stick comedy.”

“I do like shopping high street, but I do consider the long-term value of a specific piece and, also, one day giving it up for somebody else to love and enjoy.”

“I have previously been a very enthusiastic consumer, and I didn't think about the origins of garments enough.”

“Starting my career in London was no accident because the city and the industry here are all about theatre and drama, and I respond well to that.”

“I take my mentoring responsibilities very seriously.”

“A girl must have an indefinable magic, real character, a strong sense of self. Her role is to respond to the brief of a photographer or communicate the vision of a designer - while making whatever she does look utterly effortless and whatever she wears utterly seamless.”

“In my work, I'm called to a job at the drop of a hat, so I like a sense of order to my holidays, and holding a map makes me happy.”

“I'm bad at rationalisation - very bad.”

“I had one particular handbag disaster when I couldn't get into it, and when I finally did, it flew over the red carpet and was caught by 200 lenses. Not a great moment.”

“I'm interested in looking for solutions because it's become the case that in fashion you're either a villain or a victim. Look at the industry's very limited remit in terms of body size, for example.”

“I am selective. If I do splash out, it's an investment, and I wear things for years.”

“How awful to be a perfect beauty! How confusing! God. Can you imagine?”

“I have two curiosity cabinets at home filled with finds from jumble sales, markets and my travels. My favourite piece is a voodoo mask from just outside Cape Town.”