The Designer: My 9-5

Tanya WatkinsPaul Smith may be famed for cutting edge men's fashion, but the womenswear range, Paul Smith Black, is taking the smart end of the highstreet by storm. Sky Showbiz caught up with Tanya Watkins, womenswear designer for Paul Smith Black, and found out what gets her going in the mornings.

What time do you get up?
Any time between 7.00am and about 8.45am. I've never been a morning person and I work flexi-hours, so I tend to go in later and work later. I'm a bit of a night owl so I tend to have my best (or better, at least!) ideas in the evening.

What's for breakfast?
Porridge, pretty much all year round, with fresh berries/honey and a splash of cold milk! I can't really function until I have had breakfast and tea in the morning, I have it at my desk while checking my emails.

How do you start your working day?
My day is quite varied, which is one thing that I love about what I do, because I hate routine. I travel quite a bit, depending on the time of the season, for fittings, research, fabric fairs and Tenjiki - which is a showroom set up in Tokyo. No day is ever the same as I am always working on something different depending on the time of the season.

What trade/fashion press do you read?
I find it varies depending on my mood. Vogue is always a staple, but I like Another magazine and Numero. When I am in Paris I tend to pick up Jalouse but Grazia is my guilty pleasure and I also really like the new Stylist.

What is a typical morning like? Meetings, brainstorming etc?
I don't really have a typical morning. Once I have checked my email, I can be doing anything from putting together research/mood boards, writing about the direction of the season for the sales literature, doing fittings, sketching, design meetings, print meetings, meetings with Paul etc.

Do you still get the urge to shop at lunch, after being surrounded by fashion all day?
Shopping at lunch? Never. I like to take my time, and this is not exactly afforded by the 10 minute lunch dash. When I go shopping I find myself scrutinising how garments have been finished, which can take the excitement away from it. I still like nothing more than a pootle around Selfridges on a Sunday.

When do you finish?
Usually between 6pm and 7pm. If I am really busy it can be later but our office is quite good about the work/life balance. We tend to only work the occasional weekend and late nights are very much down to managing your own work load.

Networking eve or night of the sofa?
I would describe my life as hectic and the truth of the matter is I like it that way! I am not very good at sitting still and just relaxing so I tend to fill my evening up catching up with friends of generally being out and about.

If you could offer one piece of advice to someone interested in going into the industry, what would it be?
Think carefully about why you are going into fashion as it really needs to be about your love of clothes and the creative process. There are plenty of occasions when the job is far from glamorous. You often have to work long hours and starting out can be really tough, especially if you want to get into design. Saying that, it is so rewarding to work on a product you are proud of. The first time you see someone on the street in something you have designed it is a surreal experience.