Betty Jackson (April 2003)

Betty Jackson, 53, is one of Britain's most successful womenswear designers. She has been at the cutting edge of fashion for more than 20 years and, in 1987, was awarded an MBE for her contribution to the industry.
Betty Jackson: cutting edge

Favourite dress: a black silk georgette, Chinese-inspired cheong sam dress with red floral applique and embroidery, from her spring/summer 2002 collection. "When we started thinking about the summer 2002 collection, we had been talking in the studio about Chinese textiles," says Jackson. "Then we saw the classic Chinese film In the Mood For Love, and found it completely inspirational. It was beautiful, sexy, self-contained, vulnerable, special and surprising all at the same time. The dress sums the whole thing up, and is my favourite from that collection."
Cheong sam dress

Favourite fashion icons: Greta Garbo, Coco Chanel, Erin O'Connor and Debbie Harry.

Favourite beauty product: red lipstick.

Favourite accessory: "My Yohji trainers from last year."

Favourite fashion colour: black.

Favourite outfit: a punched leather, embroidered jacket and a ripped chiffon frilled skirt.

Favourite film: Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, starring John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson and Uma Thurman.

Favourite book: The Best of Flair, a compilation of features from the women's magazine that ceased publication more than 50 years ago.

Favourite musicians: she is a huge fan of Motown, "but at the moment I love Norah Jones".

Favourite song: You Don't Have To Say You Love Me by Dusty Springfield.

Favourite shop: her own, "of course!"

Favourite food: lamb chops and haricots verts at Brasserie Lipp on Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris. "The garlic in the beans is perfect."

Favourite restaurant: Club 55, the eaterie to be seen in while holidaying in St Tropez.

Favourite holiday destination: the south of France.

Favourite place: "The terrace at my home in the south of France."