For this months blog post, I wanted to introduce you all to Gail Conder, the fabulous founder and creative director of Kitten Beachwear.
Kitten was inspired by Gail's passion for beautiful and exotic beachwear from many holidays & adventures abroad admiring the vibrant and inspiring kaftans and cover ups worn in the sun kissed edges of the world. With a zest for life, travel, fashion and having great times with the ones she loves, Gail captures the Kitten vision. Sharing the love of some of my biggest indulgences (predominantly champagne and Bear Grylls), I delved into some of the funniest and memorable moments of Gail's life to see what makes her tick!
Q.What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
A.That absolutely has to be telling my friend Andrew Grant who was about to leave his career at BT where we worked together to take on the challenge of writing a book over a couple of large wines that I may have some good contacts for him - unbeknown to me his Brother is Top Best Selling Author Lee Childs #majorcringe and Andrew Grant is now a hugely successful author.
I guessed his brother probably hooked him up 99.9% better than I ever could...
Q.Your best fancy dress costume?
A.I once went to a fancy dress party as the Lion from the Wizard of Oz in head to toe thick 2 inch Lion coloured fur. I thought I looked great but I overheated all night (one or two dances had me laying on my back and panting with my paws in the air.) Walking to and from the venue with my boyfriend who was dressed in the Pink Panther costume caused traffic jams and endless rolled down windows with a stream of hilarious comments.
Q.What is your signature drink?
A. Champagne all the way....................cannot refuse a Verve!
Q.Who is your biggest style inspiration?
A.I really do have lots,however ....Kate Moss for the cool factor!
Erika Badu for her individuality
and who doesn't secretly want to rock a cocktail dress the way Audrey Hepburn did in Breakfast at Tiffany's?
Q. If you were a shoe, what kind would you be?
A. I would aspire to be anything by Manolo Blank but in reality, I am probably more like a DuBarry boot.
Q.On a Saturday night where can we find you?
Usually with someone I love drinking endless glasses of Prosecco and talking non-stop about the weeks exciting events at work and planning tons of holidays.
Q.You are hosting a dinner party, which three celebrities would you invite?
A.That's really such a difficult choice...........but I think I could spend the evening in hysterics with Keith Lemon, in awe of Meryl Streep and fascinated with Stevie Wonder.
Q.If you were stranded on a desert island, which three items would you take?
A.Assuming I would have neither my daughter Jasmine or my dog India with me, I would take my favourite book Midnights Children by Salman Rushdie, Bear Grylls (no further explanation required) and a glamorous neon bikini (I want to look good when I get rescued - imagine the tan)
Q.If Kitten Beachwear could collab with any designer, who would it be?
A.Jean Paul Gaultier all the way as I believe he has changed fashion...think of the conical bra he gave Madonna
Q.What is your all-time favourite holiday destination?
A.My favourite Summer Destination has to be Ibiza Town, Ibiza
My winter destination probably Vagator in Goa, India.
Q.What is your biggest weakness?
A.I am a workaholic & I never stop but secretly I dream of lazing around, eating curry & drinking Veuve.
When I make my first billion I am hiring an Indian Chef and buying shares in Clicquot!
Thank you so much Gail for revealing so many of your fabulous but hilarious stories. I can assure you that you are the furthest thing from a duBarry boot as possible and in terms of your curry and champagne filled dreams- they sound heavenly!
p.s Gail if you could send me those really good contacts I'd really appreciate it!
Lots of love,
Amelia X0X0