British Vogue - 11.2019

241

Which three pairs

of shoes should

every woman own?

“A pointed flat; a

good, sexy heel; and

a chunky sandal.”

Shoes, £510,

Tabitha Simmons

INTERVIEW: ALICE NEWBOLD. TIM BARBER/SUPERVISION; ALASDAIR M

cLELLAN/ART

PARTNER; GETTY IMAGES; PEANUTS WORLDWIDE; PENGUIN BOOKS; PIXELATE.BIZ

VOGUE ASKS

How do I cancel the plans I had with a friend

tonight without looking like a terrible person?

Saying you “fell asleep unexpectedly when putting

the kids to bed” is foolproof.

What has been your most extravagant purchase?

I was at a bus stop and saw a pair of Balenciaga

boots in a store window – they were like a work of

art. It’s the most expensive bus ride I’ve ever taken.

How should you handle first-date nerves?

A shot of tequila.

What’s the optimum shoe height for dancing?

Four inches, on a thick heel – so you can feel stable.

Which film should everyone watch?

Dangerous Liaisons, for the costumes.

What would you save in a house fire?

My Birkin bag, and engagement and skull rings.

If you were a man for a day, what would you do?

See what goes on at my husband Topper Mortimer’s

Racquet & Tennis Club.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Take Paddington, my bichon poodle, for a walk.

What would

Tabitha Simmons do?

Advice on love, life and dancing in heels from the chic shoe designer

How can I impress someone?

With a roast chicken. Pour a little bit

of boiling water over it when it’s cooking,

so it doesn’t go dry.

Which shoe style do you wish would disappear?

Uggs. I couldn’t handle it when everyone was

wearing them with tracksuits.

I’m in New York for a night, what should I do?

Have a drink at The Carlyle, then pop to

Kappo Masa for the best sushi in town.

Should I give someone a second chance?

No. When you know, you know. Go by your

first instinct, I’ve discovered it’s normally right.

How do you keep your hair so glossy?

Good old-fashioned L’Oréal Elnett hairspray

• sometimes the retro things work the best.
  You got married last year. Do you have any
  words of wisdom for brides-to-be?
  Be organised – I was not. But also, don’t worry
  if the table setting isn’t quite right, everyone is
  there because they love you. n

What beauty product

do you swear by? “Kora

Organics Noni Glow Face

Oil [£60] – you can put

your make-up on top of

its light formula.”

Which book changed

your life? “Perfume:

The Story of a Murderer,

by Patrick Süskind.

I love the descriptions,

the romance, and how

everything is about

scent.”

Whose wardrobe would

you most like to raid?

“Amanda Harlech’s. She

has the most beautiful

Chanel and lots of vintage

Galliano, I’m sure.”

Who would you

most like to see

wearing a pair of

your shoes?

“Lucy van Pelt

from the comic

strip Peanuts,

because she’s

brilliant.”

What clothing can’t you live

without? “Frame’s straight-

leg, high-rise jeans, because

they hold in all your sins.”

Who would

play you in the

film of your life?

“Jennifer Connelly

• good style,
  good actress.”

Jeans, £220,

Frame, at Matches

fashion.com

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